Mazikeen progression thread

[Starscream]

Ugh I’m eternally jealous of Maze. She is so gorgeous! I love her cheerios. So I’m setting up my very first snake enclosure or “snabitat”, as I prefer to call it, and I want to make a substantial second level. Can you talk about those rock ledges and branches? Are they magnetic? Where did you get them?

The rock ledges I purchased from Universal Rocks as sets of their DIY ledge kits. They're attached with silicone, so that will work with pretty much any type of enclosure. Universal Rocks was also very nice; one of the shelves arrived with a warped back that made it impossible to install without sanding it down, and they sent me a new shelf free of charge.

The branches are ghost wood, which I believe I sourced from Pangea Reptiles or maybe the Serpentarium Inc., whichever was cheapest at the time after shipping. The method I used would only work with wood or maybe PVC if you're willing to drill holes, not glass. I purchased some metal thread and cut it down to 4 inch sections, then used a wood drill bit slightly larger than the size of the thread to drill holes about two inches deep in the base of the branches. Once that was done, I glued the thread into the holes with two-part epoxy (JB Weld works fine) and let it set for a few days. Once done, I drilled holes in the walls of the enclosure itself and then put some washers on either side of those holes, attached the branches through those holes, and then used a nut to screw it into place. My roommate had to hold the branches at the angle I wanted them so I could get them tight enough, but that was the only part that required another person.

If I were to install the branches in glass, I'd probably look to SerpaDesign on Youtube for tips and advice, but since I have a wooden enclosure I get a bit more leeway on how to install additions.

I personally find magnets for something as heavy as a ball python not powerful enough -- even if it isn't a matter of weight, she's VERY strong and could yank something out if given enough time and determination. I'd much rather go for something permanent to reduce the risk of her pulling something off and hurting herself.

[ROSIEonFIRE]

The rock ledges I purchased from Universal Rocks as sets of their DIY ledge kits. They're attached with silicone, so that will work with pretty much any type of enclosure. Universal Rocks was also very nice; one of the shelves arrived with a warped back that made it impossible to install without sanding it down, and they sent me a new shelf free of charge.

The branches are ghost wood, which I believe I sourced from Pangea Reptiles or maybe the Serpentarium Inc., whichever was cheapest at the time after shipping. The method I used would only work with wood or maybe PVC if you're willing to drill holes, not glass. I purchased some metal thread and cut it down to 4 inch sections, then used a wood drill bit slightly larger than the size of the thread to drill holes about two inches deep in the base of the branches. Once that was done, I glued the thread into the holes with two-part epoxy (JB Weld works fine) and let it set for a few days. Once done, I drilled holes in the walls of the enclosure itself and then put some washers on either side of those holes, attached the branches through those holes, and then used a nut to screw it into place. My roommate had to hold the branches at the angle I wanted them so I could get them tight enough, but that was the only part that required another person.

If I were to install the branches in glass, I'd probably look to SerpaDesign on Youtube for tips and advice, but since I have a wooden enclosure I get a bit more leeway on how to install additions.

I personally find magnets for something as heavy as a ball python not powerful enough -- even if it isn't a matter of weight, she's VERY strong and could yank something out if given enough time and determination. I'd much rather go for something permanent to reduce the risk of her pulling something off and hurting herself.

My tat is PVC so I def could drill but I would prefer not to. I have a magnetic feeding ledge from my crested gecko days that I got from Pangea, the magnets are STRONG. I’m not sure how well they’ll work with PVC though. Homebody suggested peg board for building interior structures and I think that will probably be my route. I’ve seen a bunch of different perches for birds that work the way you’re describing, I’ve also thought about making some of my own like you did as well! Thanks for the suggestions

[Starscream]

My tat is PVC so I def could drill but I would prefer not to. I have a magnetic feeding ledge from my crested gecko days that I got from Pangea, the magnets are STRONG. I’m not sure how well they’ll work with PVC though. Homebody suggested peg board for building interior structures and I think that will probably be my route. I’ve seen a bunch of different perches for birds that work the way you’re describing, I’ve also thought about making some of my own like you did as well! Thanks for the suggestions

I did do some DIY ledges for my Japanese Ratsnake enclosure here if you're looking for something more unique, though it's very time consuming. Again attached with silicone. I followed this instructables guide for the process. I would strongly suggest avoiding the magnets and instead securing with silicone. Ball pythons are pure muscle, especially if they're given the chance to climb and use it.

[ROSIEonFIRE]

I did do some DIY ledges for my Japanese Ratsnake enclosure here if you're looking for something more unique, though it's very time consuming. Again attached with silicone. I followed this instructables guide for the process. I would strongly suggest avoiding the magnets and instead securing with silicone. Ball pythons are pure muscle, especially if they're given the chance to climb and use it.

Yeah so far the magnet experiment has been a bust anyways haha. I’ll check out those resources!


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[Malum Argenteum]

Any magnet strong enough to hold a BP accessory though 1/2" PVC is too strong to be safe for hobby use. I've used many neodymium magnets in gecko, frog and aquarium applications. If a human can pull it down, a BP can, and if they dislodge it there's a chance that they'll get some part of themselves between the two magnets.

Silicone will not adhere to PVC. Solvent welding is the only "adhesive" sort of way to attach to it, and that only works if the thing to be adhered is also PVC or a compatible plastic (CPVC or ABS).