Ball python that thinks its a tree snake! :)

[Austin236]

This is where I question the almost universal thinking that "balls are perfectly fine in tubs" attitude. Mine ALL like to climb and explore, particularly at night, and I feel we should be providing the option for them to do so.

Impossible to provide for this activity in a tub that is 5" tall...

Chris

This is true and i agree but once you have more than 4 or 5 snakes having them in tanks gets to be a pain to clean, etc etc. So tubs is usually what is used.

[snakesRkewl]

I think we need to provide them with proper husbandry before worrying about climbing since they are ground snakes.

Tanks are great for fish

[anatess]

This is true and i agree but once you have more than 4 or 5 snakes having them in tanks gets to be a pain to clean, etc etc. So tubs is usually what is used.

I'm currently experimenting on a Tub-Tank. It's a tub decked out like a tank. It is 12" tall. It is definitely much easier to maintain - humidity, temps, cleaning. Very light, so I can carry it to the water spigot to hose it down without a problem. And the coolest part is that the lid is solid - so even if the snake decides to climb the branch, he can't push anything out/break the screen/break the lock/ etc.

Here's a picture:




It's too soon to tell if this works, of course - I've only had them for 2 days. But so far, so good.

It's probably still not an easy enough alternative for those with 50+ snakes...

[loonunit]

I'm currently experimenting on a Tub-Tank. It's a tub decked out like a tank.

Ditto, that is neat! Did you make it?

[ms381]

This is difinately a great comprimise and also would address some of the arguements about ball pythons climbing and the use of tubs over tanks for husbandry reasons, mentioned a few posts back. I certainly would have looked into getting one of those over by exo terra tank,.

If any one finds out if you can get them in Europe, it would be great to know

[anatess]

This is difinately a great comprimise and also would address some of the arguements about ball pythons climbing and the use of tubs over tanks for husbandry reasons, mentioned a few posts back. I certainly would have looked into getting one of those over by exo terra tank,.

If any one finds out if you can get them in Europe, it would be great to know

Hah! It's EASIER to get it in the UK than here in the States actually!

You're probably familiar with it already. It's called a RUB... which is short for Really Useful Box.

I like it over sterilite/rubbermaid/iris/etc because it is made of thicker plastic so it is more rigid. A snake cannot bend that lid unlike sterilites that you have to tie down with bungee or something.

Basically, I got the 64L size RUB because it is 12" tall... the 50L size is the same floor-space but it is only 8" tall. The 33L size is also the same floor space but 5" tall.

I carved out a square piece out of one side with a dremmel and screwed in an 18"x10" sheet of plexiglass. I could have glued it in instead, but I wanted to be able to take out the sheet if I need to deep clean the tub.

Unfortunately, the RUB is a European product so it is not readily available in the States. They sell them in Staples and Office Depot but the stores by my house don't carry the 64L nor the 50L. So, I had to order them online.

The snake hasn't tried climbing that tree at all. Not even once. I know because the leaves are still where they were when I put them in. If he climbed that tree, those leaves will be flattened out and falling off the branch...

P.S. The lid on the 64L size has a small gap in the design. So, it's not a good idea to use for a bp under 100 grams (it's not a good idea anyway because it is too big). I got the 4L size for my hatchlings.

[ms381]

Not sure if any ones following this thread any more, but just an update.

The reason i started the thread was because was my first ball python and he was only 6 weeks old and climbing all the time.

He has now reduced the climbing in his cage, using his cold and warm hides nearly all the time. I dont see him during the day, pops his head out sometimes late evening, and ive seen him around in the early hours. So all very normal.

Finally, after 3 tries on a f/t hopper using gerbil litter, leaving it in the cage etc i finally gave him his first live mouse (now suggested by the breeder) which he ambushed from his hide, with a clean stike

So all in all, very happy as i have a settled bp and he has ate his first meal with meal!

Cheers for the responses on this thread