BP's and pvc trees

I have noticed a lot of people with pvc "chill trees" in their enclosures. Is this reccomended for BP's or not, since they spend almost all of their time on the ground?

I will be setting up a 29G tank, so I will have quite a bit of vertical room, I just think it might be too bulky, especially if the snake wont use it much.

thanks

There are a few members that use "chill trees" inside and outside their enclosures. Personally, I would not use one outside the enclosure, because I would not want my clumsy bp to fall (which he almost certainly would). Inside an enclosure, I think if it is not too tall, then sure go for it. My other thought concerning the PVC piping that is used by some members, is that because it is very smooth, round and thick (perfect for your bp to slip off of) I would not use them inside the enclosure either, plus my tank is only 15 gallons.

This just my opinion, and although I can say that bp's are ground dwellers and generally not good climbers, your bp may not get hurt at all climbing on a "chill tree". I just don't care to risk it myself:)

if you have the room, you could get a grape vine thing, my largest ball enjoys his when its in his cage.. =]

I read a recent study that suggested the males, while still terrestrial, spend a considerable amount of time on low-lying branches, shrubs, mangrove roots, etc., while the females are nearly always on the ground.
In my cages I have pieces of wood that the females can climb over, but not any of them are up off of the floor of the cage. My males are in tubs, which I suppose is not the very best seeing as how they like to do some low-level climbing... :weirdface

I am pretty sure mine is male, but that is just based on the spurs and tail, he hasnt been probed or popped yet. I like to see them climb a little, and I plan on having a piece of driftwood in there for shedding help, along with some of the simple plastic foliage for cover, but these wont support any weight. Is the bendable vine stuff good enough for them to climb on?

from what ive read its usually not a good idea as long as its not high i imagine it would be ok

actually, in my two larger females cages they had branches on the walls, they were up there 99% of the time.

i dont see it as a bad idea at all, gives them something else to explore.

Allright, seems pretty split so far. Also, another forum newb question. I notice in ppl's sigs that they have .1 1.0 etc, it obviously tells people what kind of herps they have, but how do i interpret the numbers?

Well, someone forgot to tell these two that BP's like the ground!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/100_6876.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/100_3516.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/100_0165.jpg

Hey FloridaHogs, BP's do like to climb and we know it!:) But they are "built" to live on the ground, not so much trees. Sometimes I wonder if my BP thinks he is a Tree Python, I have a shot like yours there, my bp used to eat out of his vine all the time, until he fell really hard when he struck, and that was the end of the tall tank with trees for me:)

ThyTempset, those numbers stand for male or female: 1.0 = One Male 0.1 = One Female 1.1 = One Male One Female:)

Yeah, that is why mine are not in tall tanks. The cage is only 14 inches tall, so no big drops. They are just goofey snakes. I also have a western hog that likes to climb....go figure.

finally, it all makes sense, thanks.

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

finally, it all makes sense, thanks.

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Haha O.K, good to hear. What is your personal conclusion?:)

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Originally Posted by missi182

Haha O.K, good to hear. What is your personal conclusion?:)

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I think ill observe him in the new set up for a while, and if he seems kind of explorery (lol), then I might put in a tree or vines. If he gets big enough, I have a 90 gallon that would work, and that would leave plenty of space for something like that, but at that size, not sure it would be a good idea. So, overall, I'm gonna sit on it.

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

I think ill observe him in the new set up for a while, and if he seems kind of explorery (lol), then I might put in a tree or vines. If he gets big enough, I have a 90 gallon that would work, and that would leave plenty of space for something like that, but at that size, not sure it would be a good idea. So, overall, I'm gonna sit on it.

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Good conclusion. And yes 90 gallons is quite large and could maybe be used once your bp is full grown:)

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Originally Posted by missi182

Good conclusion. And yes 90 gallons is quite large and could maybe be used once your bp is full grown:)

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Yeah, I doubt I will ever have to use that big of a tank, but maybe if a get a big female someday. We shall see.

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

Yeah, I doubt I will ever have to use that big of a tank, but maybe if a get a big female someday. We shall see.

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You could split it down the centre with a divider and put two snakes in it!:)

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Originally Posted by missi182

You could split it down the centre with a divider and put two snakes in it!:)

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I could kiss you right now.

On second thought, when I think about the dimensions, that would still be pretty small. Would be okay for some juvvies. It is 4 ft long x 2 feet deep x 1.5 ft high....I think.

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

I could kiss you right now.

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haha I was like "yes!" when I thought of it as if it was my own empty tank.

I have a fake terrarium tree in my 30L that's about 10inches tall and my BPs definitely enjoy it, especially the male. I bought a small mesh lizard hammock that suction cups to the side of the tank and my female loves to bask up there too. :gj:

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

On second thought, when I think about the dimensions, that would still be pretty small. Would be okay for some juvvies. It is 4 ft long x 2 feet deep x 1.5 ft high....I think.

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2 feet is 24 inches, which is not bad. It would be good for two sub-adults.
And yep, 4x2x1.5 is 89.7 gallons...I like math:)

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Originally Posted by missi182

2 feet is 24 inches, which is not bad. It would be good for two sub-adults.
And yep, 4x2x1.5 is 89.7 gallons...I like math:)

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lol.
Maybe the rescue I am getting is older than I thought. He seems to be around 3 ft., in which case, half of that 90 gallon would .....nevermind I am an idiot.

Anyway, is there a good way to get a fairly accurate length measurement without just manhandling your snake out to straight and having someone measure?

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

lol.
Maybe the rescue I am getting is older than I thought. He seems to be around 3 ft., in which case, half of that 90 gallon would .....nevermind I am an idiot.

Anyway, is there a good way to get a fairly accurate length measurement without just manhandling your snake out to straight and having someone measure?

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Haha, not really:) (that I know of) I measure the shed stretched out gently but firmly, but then again I don't really care if I am of by an inch or 2.

Most male bps do not exceed 4-5 feet. At 4 feet, that is 48 inches. General rule is make sure your enclosure is at least one third the length of the snake and with 24 inches being only half of a 4 foot snake in length, that would be fine for size:)

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Originally Posted by missi182

Haha, not really:) (that I know of) I measure the shed stretched out gently but firmly, but then again I don't really care if I am of by an inch or 2.

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Hasnt shed yet :/
I hope the first one goes really well so I can do this.
I thought the general rule was length + width => length of snake

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

Hasnt shed yet :/
I hope the first one goes really well so I can do this.

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Oh good luck! You will do the happy shed dance should you get a full shed:)

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

I thought the general rule was length + width => length of snake

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That makes sense too. Either way 2 feet by 2 feet = 4 foot snake:)

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Originally Posted by missi182

That makes sense too. Either way 2 feet by 2 feet = 4 foot snake:)

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I think it is 2 high :(
Anyway, I just wanna say that this is the longest back and forth forum kind of thing I have ever had, and it is cool.

since y'all were talkin about it.. what's the smallest size tank a fullgrown BP would need? (Male and Female?)

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Originally Posted by azak323

since y'all were talkin about it.. what's the smallest size tank a fullgrown BP would need? (Male and Female?)

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Depends a lot on the snake, but probably a 55.
A little male could take a bit smaller, maybe, a big female, a little bigger, maybe.

Some people use 20 gallons just fine:) or a 42 quart tub. My bp will be good in his 15 gallon (24 inches long, 12inches high, 12 inches wide) for at least another year. Hes 200 grams now.

think my small male could survive in my 30L?

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Originally Posted by azak323

think my small male could survive in my 30L?

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I am by no means experienced, I still have not actually had a snake in my possession(2 weeks left). I tend to think that a little bit larger enclosure with lots of extra cover and perhaps an extra hide is better than an enclosure that may be to small. Once again, I have seen a lot of people use the L + W of tank should be at least equal to, preferably a little more than the length of the snake.

Hope it helps.

I agree with ya on the bigger tank with extra cover. Definitely the better way to go! Are you getting a BP?

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

I am by no means experienced, I still have not actually had a snake in my possession(2 weeks left). I tend to think that a little bit larger enclosure with lots of extra cover and perhaps an extra hide is better than an enclosure that may be to small. Once again, I have seen a lot of people use the L + W of tank should be at least equal to, preferably a little more than the length of the snake.

Hope it helps.

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I agree with you:) I would like having a larger enclosure for my bp, as long as it isn't too tall, and empty. Security is very important and that is why alot of members have enclosures that some may think to be a little small. Once you see how much a bp spends under his/her hide (80% +), you will understand why a large enclosure really isn't needed.

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Originally Posted by azak323

I agree with ya on the bigger tank with extra cover. Definitely the better way to go! Are you getting a BP?

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Yeah, my friend made a rescue that I am taking once I get out of school for the year. :)

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

Yeah, my friend made a rescue that I am taking once I get out of school for the year. :)

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Good for you! There may be a little extra care needed but I am sure you are up to the task!

that's awesome! male/female? age?

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Originally Posted by azak323

that's awesome! male/female? age?

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No vet check yet, but spurs and tail suggest male, but we know that is unreliable. Not sure on age, but he is around 3 feet and about an inch and half, maybe a bit more, in diameter.

He is in quarantine now, but possibly has mites. We have only found one, and I extensively looked in the water and all the substrate and couldnt find any more, nor on the snake. I am going to wait until I see another before treating, because it could have been a flea/other random bug. My friend is keeping an eye out for me, but PAM isnt readily available here.

Oh ok, so he's about full grown then. that's so awesome that you're doing a rescue! Props for that. :gj:

I have one in my 20L, which is the same floor space as a 29, but just less height. Uli's just about always on it, when she's not in her hide (she's on it right now, hehe).
As far as I can tell, they don't need a whole lot of floor space in order to get around and it makes the tank more interesting. Plus, if you build it yourself, you can be sure it doesn't take up too much space, or get too tall.
But if you do give them something to climb on, make sure your lid is on good and tight!

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Originally Posted by azak323

since y'all were talkin about it.. what's the smallest size tank a fullgrown BP would need? (Male and Female?)

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I have my girls in 3x2 foot cages and the boys in 32 qt tubs