never owned a snake before, really wanting to get a royal python... answers please

[salt]

My 13 year old ball python has never escaped from his exo terra tank, but maybe he just isn't ambitious enough. He's pretty happy just chillin in his hide with his head sticking out waiting for the sky rodents to fall. But as Borgpython said covering the screen top is pretty much a must.

[KMG]

I had a Exo swing door tank for a short time holding my 6ft BRB. He is super active and loves to explore and burrow. He was never able to escape the tank and he grew up in the tank with his previous owner.

I do prefer the sliding top style. I still use two of them. I have one for my hoggy and one for my ball. The ball needed a bit of work but I cant say that I think it is difficult to keep it right.

[snakeye]

yes i know i need to cover the top up, and all that, what do you guys think about the front sliding doors? i just think it would be easier to take the snake out and clean the tank and what not from the front rather than from the top. the tanks i looked at all the locks for the screen.

i was at a petland today they had a one year old normal female that was recently brought back by the owner because the owners parents didnt want the kid to have it, i was told from the worker, she also said it was eating two live mice a week with no problems... only thing i didnt like was the snake was in an empty tank with nothing but newspaper, i didnt notice no hides or water in the tank.. i held it for a while and wated to take it home

[The Golem]

yes i know i need to cover the top up, and all that, what do you guys think about the front sliding doors? i just think it would be easier to take the snake out and clean the tank and what not from the front rather than from the top. the tanks i looked at all the locks for the screen.

i was at a petland today they had a one year old normal female that was recently brought back by the owner because the owners parents didnt want the kid to have it, i was told from the worker, she also said it was eating two live mice a week with no problems... only thing i didnt like was the snake was in an empty tank with nothing but newspaper, i didn't notice no hides or water in the tank.. i held it for a while and wated to take it home

I'm a new owner too, and have a very nice enclosure with front sliding doors. It sits up on top of a desk so it is convenient to reach in, take out decor and substrate, clean etc.

I change the decor around a little every month or so and here's a typical setup



And I just realized a few days ago that for photos it's better to slide the left door to the right and the right door to the left, so the black 'lock' is not in the middle of the picture.
NOTE: remember to always slide them back into correct positions after taking pictures.

On top of the steel screen is something called Reflectix, it's like tinfoil bubble wrap and has many uses. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix...6025/100012574



As for being 'a big guy' and handling, there will be a learning curve as you and your snake get to know each other. When handling, 1. keep your hands away from his head at first, only pick up and hold the back 2/3 of the snake, and 2. move your hands as slowly as possible. I had to work at this because at first I was nervous and jittery, which made the snake want to get away (or curl up tight). When your hands are calm and still, the BP will loosen up and start to move around.

[snakeye]

I'm a new owner too, and have a very nice enclosure with front sliding doors. It sits up on top of a desk so it is convenient to reach in, take out decor and substrate, clean etc.

I change the decor around a little every month or so and here's a typical setup



And I just realized a few days ago that for photos it's better to slide the left door to the right and the right door to the left, so the black 'lock' is not in the middle of the picture.
NOTE: remember to always slide them back into correct positions after taking pictures.

On top of the steel screen is something called Reflectix, it's like tinfoil bubble wrap and has many uses. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix...6025/100012574



As for being 'a big guy' and handling, there will be a learning curve as you and your snake get to know each other. When handling, 1. keep your hands away from his head at first, only pick up and hold the back 2/3 of the snake, and 2. move your hands as slowly as possible. I had to work at this because at first I was nervous and jittery, which made the snake want to get away (or curl up tight). When your hands are calm and still, the BP will loosen up and start to move around.

yeah that's pretty much what I was looking at, nice setup.