Great Cages for Ball Pythons But Shipped From Canada

[Giftbearer]

I am in the process of comparing quality and prices on Ball Pythons and all the stuff that goes with them and after looking at tons of Youtube videos have noticed that the friendliest and most active Ball Pythons seem to be the ones kept in the visible type enclosures. The ones kept in racks seem to shut down because their environment is not stimulating enough, and they have less time to get used to the owner because the snake only sees you when you open the drawer. While convenient and space-saving, I would rather be able to watch my snakes and let them see me through the glass so they won't see me as a threat.

What my thought is is to put some things in the cage that look like a natural habitat (some fake foliage and driftwood and things like that) in addition to the hides. That way it wouldn't be like gaping open spaces but would still be visible and allow the snake to move around and explore.

I have heard that terrariums can be a pain to clean if feces gets in a corner, and I also don't really like that in order to take the snake out you have to come at it from way above. If I saw a hand coming down like that I'd be scared too!

I had an idea in my mind of a plexiglass cage made with rounded edges inside, clear all around and opening from the front instead of the top. For weeks I searched and didn't find anything like that. The closest thing was the Exo-Terra ones (which still wasn't quite what I was looking for).

Then the other day I was looking at other snake videos and accidentally stumbled across a small company out of Canada called Ricky's Reptile Enclosures.

I wrote him and he currently has them in clear and in black. The black ones are slightly less expensive but I think they are made the same (waiting to hear back from him to be sure).

They are pretty expensive $299.99 each but with an additional $75.00 shipping and $30.00 import fee that I hadn't counted on. I don't know exactly how that is paid but waiting to hear back about that in the next e-mail.

Here are some video reviews showing the clear cage all set up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpI0B3HbYGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Edw...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9kYr...eature=related

This video is turned sideways for some reason but is basically what I have in mind for my set-up;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S4mP-SY-l0

Black enclosure video;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZlZASei6M

The clear is definitely my first choice if I can manage to come up with enough money. This guy in the first video got a payment plan a year ago, but that is no longer offered.

I want to get one for each snake, but may have to get one at a time because of how much of a lump sum I'd have to come up with. He says they are big enough so that they can be used throughout the snake's lifetime (one feature I really like, as it probably saved money in the long-term).

They have two locks on them and the hinge is on the bottom front side.

I have not been able to find out yet whether he sells to any of the Pet store chains in the US. It seems that would be easier, and I could save myself the import fee.

Apparently a large Exo-Terra heating pad fits just right on the bottom of it.

If anybody knows where I can get one in the US please let me know. I'd even get used ones as long as it's clean and in good condition. That might save some money.

Also, if anybody knows of companies here in the US making similar designs please let me know.

[m00kfu]

Animal Plastics, Reptile Basics, and Boaphile are all good choices for cages, but I don't think any of them use clear acrylic...

[JohnNJ]

Not sure your assumptions are solid on the enclosure providing more stimulus.

I have two BP's in tanks in my living room. They are in the middle of all of the activity. They basically stay in their hides all day and come out after we go to bed. They're fine when we take them out and they do come out to eat but they do not put on a show for us. BP's are not really a display snake.

[Giftbearer]

I've seen some great videos of Ball Pythons that are quite inquisitive. I'm about ready to go to sleep but sometime I'll post some links. One woman lets her snake move around in this obstacle course she made for it and it's really amazing.

I used to think Ball Pythons didn't do much but after I watched enough different ones I realized their temperments vary as much as ours do. It may be partly genetic but the environment could also play a part in shaping their personality.

[Giftbearer]

Thanks, Chris. I'll have to check out Boaphile. I hadn't heard of them before. I think I may have the other two bookmarked.

[Wh00h0069]

From my experience, ball pythons do not do well in cages. All of the ball pythons that I have kept in professional plastic cages or glass tanks eventually stop eating. They become very stressed. All of the cages and tanks always had ample hide spots and correct temps. Once switched to rack systems, they started eating again, and were much less stressed.

Just because a snake is not hiding does not mean that it is not stressed out. Often you will see them moving around a lot, but that may be because they are looking for a way out of a cage that they are not comfortable in.

I hope this helps.

[Rahne&Salazar]

My boyfriend and I just got my Ball Python from Petco, we also got a deluxe snake kit. It comes with a little house, a water bowl wood chips, and two lamps(a day lamp and a night lamp). We also bought an extra piece of driftwood, which Salazar likes to lay upon. I keep reading on here that Ball Pythons tend to hide a lot, but I guess that depends on the snake. Salazar is a huge ham and he loves attention and comes out a lot, not just at night. But, of course, not every snake is the same, so decorate your tank according to your snakes needs; If your snake is more of a hider, I'd put more sheltered areas in the tank. If your snake likes to be out more, then place less objects in your cage.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Animal plastics makes the best cages, I personally try to stay as far away from Boaphiles as possible.



I don't like the fact that the cages you are talking about are clear. When I've had my BP's in glass tanks I had to cover 3 sides to make them more secure.

Also a BP that is very active during the day is very likely being active because it doesn't feel secure enough to even hide.

[kitedemon]

Snakes out during the day typically are showing stress and or incorrect husbandry. This is not normal head out of the hide and morning and evening maybe but full out moving around is likely stress.

Generally ball pythons like to see and not be seen. General rule of thumb, hides lots of cover and such lends to a sense of security. Most whom recommend if you use a fish tank to cover the side up to help with security. The RRE enclosures seem silly to me a plastic fish tank. If you want to save cash this might be an option.


http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution

The black enclosures are basically an over priced tub. I like to support Canadian, I am from there. But this is not a something I can get behind. The other listed enclosures are very similar, they represent a proven design that works. Three sides that are opaque and glass fronts so you can see in. All clear means you will likely end up covering 3 sides. I guess you have a choice in what you cover them. The others have top doors so if they are on a shelf they are just a black box you cannot sit and look at the enclosure from somewhere else. It too seems to defeat the point, a display enclosure that is a GOOD home and enjoyable to view.

I have had snakes in a variety of enclosures and often move from things like boaphile or vision to a rack and back I have not found a significant difference in feeding in either the snakes all feed and the best feeders are the best feeders no matter where they are. I think that failure to feed is more often than not environmental issues that are the keepers responsibility. Some have real trouble maintaining a enclosure and simply cannot manage the balance of heat air flow and humidity. In my case I have issues with a rack I find it very hard to keep all the factors in hand but then again I have a cool room racks usually NEED an ambient room temp of 80º (give or take).

[JohnNJ]

Giftbearer, who does not yet have a BP, and Rahne, who got her first BP (and deluxe kit) from Petco - welcome to the forum. There are lots of experienced people here who can give you tons of useful information.

Please keep reading, ask questions and keep an OPEN mind. You'll be amazed at what you can learn.