rack/sterlite question

[sidhe]

My ball python will be arriving in two weeks or so, and I want him to feel as secure as possible. I have one of those steel racks from Home Depot for my snakes. After his quarantine period is over I was wondering if I should cover the sides of the rack with something (it's open on two sides)? I figure I could cut some cardboard and put it on each side (of the rack). He will be housed in an opaque sterlite tub so, is this necessary?

[Adam_Wysocki]

Home Depot sell racks?

-adam

[sidhe]

It's just one of those steel storage racks people usually use in their garage (I think) or basement. Baby steps......I'll get there LoL

[xdeus]

I have one of those steel racks from Home Depot for my snakes.

I think you mean shelves. Usually when people refer to snake racks they mean a rack made specifically to hold the snakes that have built in heat and are custom fit for the tubs. As far as the heat, I think it depends on how warm you can make the ambient temps in your room and what kind of heat you will be using for the tubs. If you want to insulate it, I wouldn't recommend cardboard. There are better materials such as styrofoam panels and Reflectix.

Good luck!

[sidhe]

Oooops, sorry for the confusion. I'm still learning. I meant covering the sides with cardboard because for my corn it was suggested to cover three sides of the aquarium, and I figured BP's would have similar needs. Scratch that rack thing, I guess I should have said shelving unit. I will be using UTH for heat (with T-stat) since he will be my second snake. It's not really a heating thing so much as a "privacy" issue for the new snake.

[xdeus]

Well, the sterilites are kind of opaque so they will be getting a little bit of privacy that way. Unless there will be foot traffic or distractions coming from all around the shelving unit, it's probably unnecessary to cover up the other sides. Just give them enough hides to feel secure and comfortable.

[sidhe]

Thanks a lot for the help. I love this forum-I learn a lot here and, hope to be able to help someone else as much as you guys have helped me. Now, to get rid of that annoying "noob" status.

[tigerlily]

I wouldn't worry too much about being a 'noob'. It's not like it's tattooed to your forehead, or at least I hope it's not. I still feel like I have a lot to learn, and will always be open to learning anything and everything.

[Cubby23]

Yeah i like to try keeping the term n00b to video games only never IRL. Hehe i wish home depot sold racks