Downsizing cage? Would he mind?

[jdouglas]

Since I am moving into a small apartment with very limited space. I am considering downsizing his cage.

He is currently in a full sized Animal Plastics T8. And I am considering moving him into an Animal Plastics Sterilite 1860/1960 Series 3tub. This will allow me to pick up 2 more and it will take up a whole lot less space than my T8.

However, I really like him having the entire T8 to himself, as I am able to provide him with 4 hides and a larger temperature variant.

And would this Tub size be efficient to keep a full grown female?

Also how much more likely is it that he could escape from one of these? A requirement of keeping caged animals in this apartment is that they are very secure and cant escape. My T8 has a lock on it.

[Kodieh]

41 quart tubs are usually the standard for adult females.


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[jdouglas]

thanks any other info?

[satomi325]

Your snake will probably do fine in a rack tub. Down sizing is less stressful than upgrading sizes.
28/31 qt tubs are great for snakes between 500-2000 grams.
41 qt tubs for large females over 2000 grams.

The only way a snake can escape a tub is only if you don't push it back into the slot. They can't push it out themselves.
You can secure it with locks and such like this:

http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/q...sort=ascending

Reptile Basics has these nubs on their rack that can come on and off that secure a tub in place:

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/revi...eater_rack.jpg

Or you can make a swivle that turns and locks a tub in place like this:
(It's a rodent rack, but same concept)
http://www.rodentracks.com/images/Rat_Rack_4stack2.JPG

[jdouglas]

Great information thanks!

What is better in a small rack like this? belly heat or back heat?

[satomi325]

Great information thanks!

What is better in a small rack like this? belly heat or back heat?

It depends on your room temperature.
Belly heat heats up the ambient air and creates a temp gradient, while belly heat just creates a hot spot.

I've used both belly and back heat.
I had a room temp of 70*-75*. The back heated flexwatt heated up to 115-120 degrees to achieve a 90* hot side and 80* cool side. I wasn't comfortable running flexwatt that high, so I switched to belly heat. Flexwatt isn't designed to go above 105*. With belly heat in the same room, the flexwatt only had to run 95-98* to achieve a 90* hot side and 80* cool side.

I actually liked back heat a lot, but it didn't work out well in my room. Back heat does well if the room is warmer. So it just depends on your room temp.

[jdouglas]

Got ya thanks, I am not to sure what temps my room will be kept at in the apartment since we don't move in until Monday. However I really like the idea of going to a small rack since it would be a lot less likely for someone to know what it is or whats in it.

Where with my T8 if you walk by it you know exactly whats in it. And draws a lot of attention. And I could keep the small rack next to my bed where the T8 will have to go in the small dining/living room area and deal with company.

[jdouglas]

And of course the greatest positive to the move I can keep 2 more!