Wish I knew what I was doing.

[ssjsmits]

killer!

[hartsock]

raze -

It seems like every so often, people who act okay most of the time, suddenly feel like they need to act "high and mighty" and then when the are called on it, they brush it off like they didn't act that way to begin with. Thing is, it is usually all there in black and white on the screen, so people see who the nut jobs are.

I love your set ups and think they are cool. Keep up the good work

[trendkill]

I have basic shevling units (like those for garages) for my tubs. They're cool because they're cheap, and they have metal sides so I can use goofy magnets to hold up the snakes' feed/shed cards.

I use individual Dragon's Lair heat mats connected to thermostats. The probe is placed under the substrate (held there by a suction cup) and the thermostat is set to 90 degrees. The boa's burrow after a meal to get the 90 degree temperature, and they're usually on top of the substrate (85 - 87 degree reading there) the rest of the time. The cool end of the tubs usually read 77-80 degrees. My snake rooms are kept at about 72-75 degrees. I have the air cranked because if my two spare rooms and the loft were to get in the 80's, my bedroom would surely get nearly as hot. Ick.

[Stargazer]

This reminds me of when I was volunteering at a city animal shelter where the cats were in tiny cages with barely enough room to turn around. Some would be there for months! They stood by their statistics on how this is all the space a cat needs.

I don't know the reptile brain well enough to argue for its needs. But I am one who would find it difficult to keep a snake in a small bin or a tub with no substrate, climbing branches or room to explore or see out. A snake obviously can survive in this type of enclosure, but to me it's the same as keeping cats in small cages. I personally can't do it.

[Texas Rattlesnake]

Originally Posted by Stargazer

This reminds me of when I was volunteering at a city animal shelter where the cats were in tiny cages with barely enough room to turn around. Some would be there for months! They stood by their statistics on how this is all the space a cat needs.

I don't know the reptile brain well enough to argue for its needs. But I am one who would find it difficult to keep a snake in a small bin or a tub with no substrate, climbing branches or room to explore or see out. A snake obviously can survive in this type of enclosure, but to me it's the same as keeping cats in small cages. I personally can't do it.

Who said no room to explore? Who said no substrate? Who said they can't see out? I wouldn't like those conditions either!

The cat analogy is off though. Boas like to hide and ambush, and hide and digest.

Cats roam. There's a big difference there.

[Stargazer]

Sorry, that was not meant to belittle tubs and racks for snakes. I think it is my anthropomorphism that thinks they would prefer the more elaborate set ups. I just couldn't do the tubs and racks myself, which will always limit the number of snakes I can have. It probably wasn't a fair comparison with the cats either. I just don't like seeing animals in anything that looks like a cage or a tub, but it's just a personal preference.

[razeraze]

I believe Brandon can agree with this. To me seeing my huge boa climb is the most rewarding part of keeping her.

[ssjsmits]

It's awesome! Especially when I hear numerous people say that they are terresstrial as adults and will not climb. Granted, everyboa is differnt, but I believe if they are given that chance, they will do it a lot more than is to be expected.

But yes, it is very neat to watch

[Xeikeness]

Me... Now I keep my snakes as close to their natural habitat as possible, while sticking with convenience for myself. They all have aspen bedding, about 2" - 3" of it, because it is EFFORTLESS to spot clean, and won't cause impaction if it's ingested. However, I always provide fake greenery for extra security, a water dish big enough for them to soak in, at LEAST one hide, a bit of climbing space...

Because sure my snakes don't NEED it. But... they USE it when it's there. They do utilize it. And because they utilize everything regularly, I can only assume that they like it. They're all happy, well-adjusted critters with stable temperaments, who are happy to stay in the cage, or happy to be held a lot.

I don't want to have to house my snakes in tubs with newspaper substrate and a tiny water dish. But, that's just me. Just my opinion. And you know... it works for me. My snake cages are my own personal "Chinese Sand Gardens". I love the feng shui they get going in my room. My own little peice of nature.