opinions please...does this cage look good?

[Sonya610]

I started another thread regarding maybe having made the wrong choice when selecting a BP 3 years ago (too reclusive). Having never rehomed a pet in my life, I really hate to start now and thought perhaps if I bought a new/better enclosure that would help the reclusiveness (probably wishful thinking..lol).

Any opinions on this enclosure? Plan to get the heat tape and my BP is currently in a 20 gallon long tank. This might make her happier and more active. Does this look like a good enclosure? Hate to buy something and then realize I made a mistake and there will be a heating or humidity or who knows what sort of problem afterwards.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Reptile-Cage...10553392618728

[AkHerps]

If you are talking about your Ball Python hiding all the time, a new cage will not solve that problem. They are a very secretive species in the wild, and also in captivity. If you want to show your snake to people, or have a pretty visual to look at, create an awesome natural terrarium, and if people want to see what you have, most ball pythons don't mind being woken up if they are used to being handled.

[Sonya610]

If you are talking about your Ball Python hiding all the time, a new cage will not solve that problem. They are a very secretive species in the wild, and also in captivity. If you want to show your snake to people, or have a pretty visual to look at, create an awesome natural terrarium, and if people want to see what you have, most ball pythons don't mind being woken up if they are used to being handled.

Thanks for the feedback. I just feel real bad rehoming an animal so I think I will buy a new cage anyway. Plus if I do rehome her I would feel better about it if she had a nice comfortable cage to go with her. I have a 20 gal long tan now and hate it.

So does that tank setup look good? I am going to get that heat strip stuff for the bottom and want to make sure the cage will accomodate it (would feel stupid if I bought a cage and found out it wouldn't work).

[Adam Chandler]

perhaps if I bought a new/better enclosure that would help the reclusiveness

As others have said a new tank will not make your BP more happy and active. In fact, if a BP is actively moving around its enclosure all the time it means it is not happy and trying to escape. A hiding BP is a happy BP.

If I had to recommend a BP enclosure it would definitely be this one:http://www.reptilebasics.com/2x3x12-cage
Or any other RBI enclosure.

[Sonya610]

As others have said a new tank will not make your BP more happy and active. In fact, if a BP is actively moving around its enclosure all the time it means it is not happy and trying to escape. A hiding BP is a happy BP.

If I had to recommend a BP enclosure it would definitely be this one:http://www.reptilebasics.com/2x3x12-cage
Or any other RBI enclosure.

Yeah, I realize a better enclosure won't make her more active, but was just wondering. I hate the glass tank she is in now and it can barely hold 2 hides so I want to upgrade.

Thing is I don't have a "snake room" and her enclosure will be right next to me, so I strongly prefer a wood enclosure to a plastic one as even though I can't see her I will have to look at her enclosure and want it to be more attractive (selfish I know). I will try to contact the seller to make sure it allows for under tank heating and all, also maybe ask if they have options for vents on top instead of all that screen.

Thanks for your reply.

[AkHerps]

If you get a tank that is too large, your Ball python can become very stressed because in the wild they prefer to hide in small dens and tunnels that other animals make. They don't like wide open spaces, it makes them feel insecure.

There's no shame in re-homing pets if you work hard to find them a good home, not just drop them off at a shelter or something.

[Sonya610]

If you get a tank that is too large, your Ball python can become very stressed because in the wild they prefer to hide in small dens and tunnels that other animals make. They don't like wide open spaces, it makes them feel insecure.

There's no shame in re-homing pets if you work hard to find them a good home, not just drop them off at a shelter or something.

Thanks. The 20 gal long she is in really isn't big enough for 2 hides and a water dish, going with a 36" long instead. I do not think it will be too big and if it is I will move her hides closer together.

I didn't win the ebay bid but the seller offered a "second chance" and I ended up buying 2 cages instead of one (at a better price). Very nice guy, he used to have a reptile store and now just builds custom cages. I prefer wood to plastic for aesthetic reasons and he will build them to your specifications at a very reasonable price, I know many prefer the molded plastic but for those that prefer wood it is worth checking out.

If anyone is interested here is the website http://www.cagecompany.com/

Regarding rehoming, the issues arrose when she insisted on live food. I am having a hard time dealing with feeding live feeder rats, do to my location I have to keep some on hand. I bought two new stackable wood cages one for her and one for an as yet to be purchased Garter Snake.

If I have to rehome because of the live food thing at least I can send her cage with her to assure she has a comfortable and safe feeling living environment.