Paranoid newby with quick question

[elevenphoenix]

I posted a few weeks ago about my ball python escaping into the high school I teach at. Unfortunately, she was never found

Anyway, I bought a baby BP today and currently she is in a 10 gallon aquarium with a mesh lid attached with 2 screen clips. I am so paranoid that she is somehow going to escape from this enclosure. She is already actively exploring the enclosure and sticking her head near the lid.

Has anyone ever heard of a snake escaping from a mesh lid with clips? I am super paranoid after my last snake escaped (different enclosure). I'm terrified she will find an escape route and become a snack for my dog :/

Please tell me I am being totally ridiculous.

[llovelace]

Personally I don't trust those clippy things, the one & only BP that's in a viv has 2 5# disc weights on top of it, any new snakes that come in and are in quarantine in tubs also have disc weights on top.

Maybe the other one will turn up...we can hope

[Sarin]

We use that exact method for keeping out BP's locked in their enclosures at the store. We did have one escape though, but that was through the door at the top that some mesh lids have. (he unlocked it and pushed it open) I think you'll be fine especially with a young BP. If you want to be extra safe, add more clips to the lid or add equal weights.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

your best bet is critter keeper tanks... they are glass tanks made particularly for reptiles and the top slides on and off. Most pet stores have them.

[Bleepr]

It depends entirely on the clips you're using, but I wouldn't be worried.

I had my yearling pastel, Ed, escape a little while ago, I got some clips on his 20g tall and hes stuck =D

If you're paranoid, just grab 2 more clips and put them on all sides, there is NO way that she'll get through 4 clips.

[EJ45]

my GF has a 10g with a screen top she keeps her corn snake in. It fits TIGHT and takes some effort to open. I HAD a screen top on my 10g and my BP managed to pry it open just a little one day (it fit just a little loose ... ) so I got the tank with the slide in top since then. SO ... I 'spect you's just have to inspect it closely for ANY chance of gaps or wiggle room to be sure.

[kc261]

No one can say for sure because there are different brands of tanks and different brands of clips. One brand might be great and another might not be so good.

You need to check your enclosure carefully to be sure it is secure.

I second the suggestion to get one of the tanks designed for reptiles with the sliding screen lids. We have 2 of those with snakes in them, and I am really happy with them.

[frankykeno]

Are they the good metal clips that snap on really tight? If so, buy another set just to be sure and use all 4. We use 4 metal clips on the metal framed mesh lid on my daughter's colubrid tank and if that escape artist can't get out, I doubt anything could.

[ThenewBlack]

what is the formula for finding the gallon volume of the tank?

[AlextheBallPython]

I wouldn't worry. Put 1 clip on each side and you'll be fine. That is what I have done with my BP, Alex.