BP Cage Size Question

[Moonshae]

I'm doing research right now into different types of cages and what not so I can make a good decision when I go out and purchase equipment. I'm definitely going to get a BP, and expect to buy a young one.

I understand the cage width + length >/= the length of the snake ratio, and keeping it close, so that the snake doesn't feel too exposed by the large space. I've also seen comments here about decorations and such taking up floor space, which effectively reduces the space for the snake.

I would like to buy one cage in which the snake can mature and fill as time goes by...rather than trying to section off a 40-gal tank, could it not instead be filled to bursting initially with lots of rocks, decorations, etc to reduce the floor space to the equivalent space offered by a smaller tank? Then as the snake grows, remove materials as necessary to offer increased space.

The expense of essentially discarding a small tank and any equipment permanently attached to it once the snake outgrows it seems to be a waste to me, since I'm not planning to increase my "collection" at this point. If I decide to do that in the future, I'd have the expense of a second tank anyway, and would rather buy the second tank later if I need it.

Of course, I'll deal with the expense if it's necessary to keep the snake healthy and happy, but (obviously) would prefer not to if it isn't.

Thoughts?

[dr del]

Hi,

The most important (and generally the most expensive) peices of equipment can be moved from one enclosure to the next as the snake grows.

The thermostat should be the most obvious example but, if you do not stick it to the tank, the heatpad ( or whatever heating system you use) can also sometimes be used for the next size up tank.

the digital thermometer/ tempgun is another long lasting component.

The things that tend to get discarded are the cheap parts - hides, waterbowls and tubs.

You can certainly try a larger tank initially if you put the effort into doing it right - but at the end of the day the snake is the one that will tell you if it is working or not.


dr del

[Moonshae]

Thanks for the feedback!

Of course, my priority will be to do right by the snake, not to spend as little money as possible; I just don't want to waste money, either, if I can avoid it.

Since I have no experience with this, I'm not really sure what would be involved...I figured that I'd set up the heating elements in the final space, and essentially fill in the floor space with fake plants, rocks, anything to occupy a large amount of it, leaving appropriate space to get to the hides, water, basking area, warm/cool areas...say, by filling in around the sides and back with the extra material, leaving the front & center area for use initially. How high would I need to fill the tank for the snake to feel enclosed? all the way to the top? A few inches? I realize that I can't fill in around the sides too much without covering the undertank heating pads...I was going to follow this plan since it is very detailed and seems to fit with the kind of tank I plan to use: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

What exactly (in your opinion) would be necessary to do it right? I have no problems putting in the effort to get it that way, or at least, assessing the effort vs 2-tank expense to come to the best decision.

[L.West]

I have my newest bp in this cage:

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...014-5A_006.jpg

I simply added more fake green plants and he is doing great. He is 20 inches long and 382 grams - just a little sprout. My adult female weighing in at 1,200 grams is in the exact same type/size cage but with less clutter.

Hope this helps you out.

[Spaniard]

Hello,

I want to first start off by saying that as you increase the size of the tank you also increase the difficulty in maintaining proper temps and humidity. You'll want to have your set up running in stable conditions before you acquire your snake. There is nothing worst than dealing with the frustration of trying to tweak your enclosure along with the added anxiety of a snake that will not eat.

Keep in mind that anything you put in the enclosure will be peed and pooped on regularly, snakes also have psychic abilities when it comes to soiling the most annoying thing in the enclosure to clean. So whatever you put in there make sure its not absorbent and is easy to clean.

You will need a thermostat of some sort depending on your budget you have different options.

1.Proportional Thermostat - Most expensive, most accurate control
2.On/Off Thermostat - Middle ground cost and control wise
3.Rheostat (dimmer switch) - Most economical, will not function well in houses with big temp swings.

For an under tank heater you could use flexwatt making sure it covers 1/3 of the floor space in the tank. Depending on the temperatures of your house you may require additional heat for the cool side during winter months.

Stay away from heat bulbs or CHE if you can; they tend to suck the humidity out of the enclosure.

Another option you may want to consider is raising your snake for the first couple of months in a plastic tub and then moving it to its final destination. Flexwatt is pretty affordable so creating a plastic grow tub shouldn't cost much at all. This will make cleaning and what not much easier until your snake is ready to utilize the full scale of a larger tank.

[Moonshae]

I want to first start off by saying that as you increase the size of the tank you also increase the difficulty in maintaining proper temps and humidity. You'll want to have your set up running in stable conditions before you acquire your snake. There is nothing worst than dealing with the frustration of trying to tweak your enclosure along with the added anxiety of a snake that will not eat.

I definitely planned to have my tank set up and stabilized before getting the snake...makes perfect sense. No point subjecting the animal to the stress of an inappropriate environment, especially since I'm sure it'll take me longer to get it right, being new.

Keep in mind that anything you put in the enclosure will be peed and pooped on regularly, snakes also have psychic abilities when it comes to soiling the most annoying thing in the enclosure to clean. So whatever you put in there make sure its not absorbent and is easy to clean.

Definitely. I know how this works, with several pets. If there's a bare floor or something important on the floor, the cats will throw up on the important thing...why dirty the floor when there's something disposable to throw up on? Haha. *sigh*

Another option you may want to consider is raising your snake for the first couple of months in a plastic tub and then moving it to its final destination. Flexwatt is pretty affordable so creating a plastic grow tub shouldn't cost much at all. This will make cleaning and what not much easier until your snake is ready to utilize the full scale of a larger tank.

That's an idea, too, and worth checking out. I would like to be able to look at my snake, though (especially since handling initially is off limits), and most tubs are at best translucent, right?

[Spaniard]

I believe there are some pretty clear tubs out there but the name escapes me right now. Hopefully someone who knows will chime in.