Mesh top to weak?

Im an new ball python owner :carrot: Love the snake... I housed it in a 25 gal vivi which was perviously used for my corns.. My question is would the mesh top be strong enough to hold my ball in? I just noticed that these snakes are alot stronger then my corns.. Just worried that it will escape... Do I need to upgrade and buy the metal wire tops?

Welcome to BP world!
When I used the mesh lids I bought locks for the tops you can find them at most pets stores. Because yes they can push the lids right off!

My mesh lid does come with one of those twist locks.. But the mesh is thin with lots of small holes.. I know for sure that the bp can't make it thourh the holes but im just worried it can break the mesh...

Welcome to the sight. Glad to have you.

If you use the sliding mesh top then yea your good to go. I have had mine get out using the set on top type. the sliding top poses a big problem to animals with out thumbs, or arms, or hands for that matter. Just be sure that you keep it covered with tinfoil and ducktape to hep keep the heat and humidity in.

Are you talking about the wire mesh? The locks Im speaking of are for use for the set on top wire mesh lids. And the locks snap into place rather than screw on.

It is a mesh top with a lock... its not the slide in type... The mesh is similar to the one people have on there windows to keep the bugs out.. very fine holes...

How is the top attached to the VIV?

I would not rely on weight atop the tank; they can push the lid off still. The locks that others suggested work great; I used them when I had my snakes tanked, and I still use them for my rat tanks; not an escapee yet in the 5 years I have used these. Just make sure you get the right sized locks; ask beforehand if you can return them if they don't fit. They are a little hard to get on but once on the lid, they are easy to use!

Well, if its a screen/mesh top you want to foil and tape it anyway, so that might fix the problem you have about him actually pushing through the screen. With duct tape covering the whole thing, ours never broke out.

Read the care sheet about glass tanks for pictures on how to tape and foil it.

Those black plastic screw down locks aren't worth a hill of beans when it comes to a determined and strong snake in my opinion. You'd likely sleep better grabbing a heavier grade metal framed, heavier mesh lid and buy a set or two of the metal snap down locks. Those things are golden and keep the lid secure with no give at all.

I have one of the mesh tops, and it has held my BP in well. It is a special one that locks on really well, and i axidentally stepped on it, so it is slightly warped, but in a good way, it locks on even better now. haha. I would say, go to Petsmart, and see if they have one of the locking tops, and if they dont, get some clips to secure it. Also, scince i like to keep my room pretty hippie, i have a heavy candle on one corner (i dont light it, it just has a cool pattern on it), and a clay bottle that says love on the other, he presses the cage top all the time. He has never gotten out though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

How is the top attached to the VIV?

---

It just sits on top.. no slide or anything... But theres 2 hooks that go underneth the ledge and then theres finally a lock that you turn and it also goes underneth the ledge... Im just afraid that my snake will be strong enough to break through the mesh especially the edge, where the mesh connects to the frame..