BP gets out of everything - need new cage idea

[dsirkle]

The photos look like perhaps the latches aren't close enough to to corner of the door and the snake is able to bow the corner out and squeeze through. You could make a new door using thicker, sturdier Plexiglas or add more latches to the existing door.

[BuckeyeBalls]

The photos look like perhaps the latches aren't close enough to to corner of the door and the snake is able to bow the corner out and squeeze through. You could make a new door using thicker, sturdier Plexiglas or add more latches to the existing door.

i would do this.. like 2-3 on each side and 6 on top lets see her get out of that

[Mindibun]

Everything you have described so far sounds like a stressed snake.

Perhaps you could try filling the enclosure with crumpled paper to simulate a larger amount of "cover"? Then over time, start removing more and more of the paper until there is none left.

I would give substrate another try. She might not like it at first but she should get used to it after a few weeks. Perhaps she doesn't use her hides because she doesn't like the tile.

I know your husbandry is spot on but some snakes are a little more picky when it comes to security.

I don't know where you would find them but I have locks on my boaphile cage that work perfectly. maybe you could check out their website so you can see what they look like and try to find something similair.

Good luck! She does seem like a handful

She is not stressed. She DOES have crumpled paper in there now, but - again - she has pushed it all to the back of the cage. A stressed snake wouldn't just lie around out in the open when she has hides available to her. She doesn't show any of the signs of being stressed, actually, other than the fact that she apparently wants to leave. Also, it isn't tile, it's linoleum and it's heated. I don't understand why everyone keeps saying "oh they must not like the tile." What's not to like? Does everyone honestly assume they'd rather lay on pokey wood shavings than a smooth warm surface? How does everyone here know what is "comfortable" to a snake and what is not? Have you asked them?

I have a large batch of aspen on order for the rabbits, so I'll probably put some in her cage. Maybe just half the cage or something so she can get away from it if she wants. I have tried all kinds of bedding with her - shavings, paper, coconut stuff, that eco-earth, even cedar chips. She just doesn't like it.

[Kaorte]

She is not stressed. She DOES have crumpled paper in there now, but - again - she has pushed it all to the back of the cage. A stressed snake wouldn't just lie around out in the open when she has hides available to her. She doesn't show any of the signs of being stressed, actually, other than the fact that she apparently wants to leave. Also, it isn't tile, it's linoleum and it's heated. I don't understand why everyone keeps saying "oh they must not like the tile." What's not to like? Does everyone honestly assume they'd rather lay on pokey wood shavings than a smooth warm surface? How does everyone here know what is "comfortable" to a snake and what is not? Have you asked them?

I have a large batch of aspen on order for the rabbits, so I'll probably put some in her cage. Maybe just half the cage or something so she can get away from it if she wants. I have tried all kinds of bedding with her - shavings, paper, coconut stuff, that eco-earth, even cedar chips. She just doesn't like it.

If you don't want help then don't ask for it. You just keep shutting down everyone's ideas or misinterpret comments as "attacks".

:/

[BuckeyeBalls]

If you don't want help then don't ask for it. You just keep shutting down everyone's ideas or misinterpret comments as "attacks".

:/

x2

[Nuzum1978]

No advice for the escapes, but try what I do for the know-it-alls: ignore them and stick with the people who are really trying to help.

[loonunit]

Zilla Critter Cage tanks are the best, I think. I have friend who has racks, and her animals escape fairly often... and BHB talked about his problems with getting the racks the right size to fit his tubs and prevent escapes in a recent episode of SnakebytesTV. I'll eventually get some racks when I start producing hatchlings, but I'm not looking forward to it.

Anyway, I like tanks, and I prefer the Zilla tanks. Their locking screens are the most robust IMO. My Black Sand tank also came with a locking screen, but the locking bit was difficult to use, made of cheap plastic, and eventually it warped and broke. And then my clever black pastel female figured out how to push the screen open, and I found her cruising the vodka and gin bottles on the sidebar in the dining room at 4am.

I also have a Exo Terra tank, but they're pricey, and they still strike me as a bit fragile as compared to the Zilla Critter Cages.

[Buttons]

She is not stressed. She DOES have crumpled paper in there now, but - again - she has pushed it all to the back of the cage. A stressed snake wouldn't just lie around out in the open when she has hides available to her. She doesn't show any of the signs of being stressed, actually, other than the fact that she apparently wants to leave. Also, it isn't tile, it's linoleum and it's heated. I don't understand why everyone keeps saying "oh they must not like the tile." What's not to like? Does everyone honestly assume they'd rather lay on pokey wood shavings than a smooth warm surface? How does everyone here know what is "comfortable" to a snake and what is not? Have you asked them?

I have a large batch of aspen on order for the rabbits, so I'll probably put some in her cage. Maybe just half the cage or something so she can get away from it if she wants. I have tried all kinds of bedding with her - shavings, paper, coconut stuff, that eco-earth, even cedar chips. She just doesn't like it.

How do you know she doesn't like it? Have you asked her?

A month ago in your last thread you said you were going to install more locks. This may not have happened again if you had done that. Just a suggestion though.

[cinderbird]

OP, you're anthropomorphizing your snake a lot here. She's not angry with you for escaping, she was out in the open, and you came down to get her back (coming in from above is a predatory action) and she tried to escape from you.

People here are giving you excellent advice. When they see something that is done a little less often (like the tile type substrate) people are going to ask questions or ask you to explain. We aren't questioning your ability to care for your animals, we're just trying to figure out the problem you asked us for help with.

You have a beautiful cage set up. And I'm sure a stronger door or more locks would make it a better cage for your snake to stay in rather than get out of.

[Mindibun]

I had typed out responses to each of you, but then decided that was a little too wordy. Instead, let me just say that I am only shooting down ideas because I have either tried them already (which is the case with most of the given suggestions) or don't like them and would never want to try them.

It is apparent to me that I never should have started this thread. I asked a simple question, and it has turned into a sort of debate and scrutiny of my husbandry altogether. I have the right to keep my snakes as I see fit. I will put more locks on the cage.

This forum was great when I was a beginner, but now that I've been keeping these guys for several years, it seems like all I do is explain myself left and right. I'll try to keep my posts pictures-only from now on. I have been on this forum long enough to know that there will be many rude and childish remarks now, and comments about myself and my snake-keeping abilities. There will probably be plenty of sideways remarks at each other as well. I won't bother checking this thread again.

Thank you to the few of you who were helpful. You know who you are.