Choosing the Right Type of Cage

[Texas Rattlesnake]

Cool, another cage spat.

[BWSmith]

Originally Posted by JuliusSqueezer

Your reptiles NEED uth. That's not negotiable.

I would not agree with that. There are few hard and fast rules regarding husbandry and I would avoid absolute statements. UTH is better in my opinion, but people raised snakes for decades under bulbs. That is not to say that I agree with the set-up illustrated, I just don't agree with that statement.

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater: A commonly used method of heating a reptile enclosure.

[Texas Rattlesnake]

Originally Posted by BWSmith

I would not agree with that. There are few hard and fast rules regarding husbandry and I would avoid absolute statements. UTH is better in my opinion, but people raised snakes for decades under bulbs. That is not to say that I agree with the set-up illustrated, I just don't agree with that statement.

Read it again. I believe J.S. is referring to the type of reptiles that Raze keeps. But, if I'm the ding-a-ling, then I agree with B.W. on this one.

[JuliusSqueezer]

He has a large boa and a retic. They NEED UTH in captivity. A large snake laying on a heated surface that is heated from above will shade and cool the surface area after a short time. Some benefit will still come from elevating body temp but it has been proven time and time again that UTH greatly enhances basking/digestion.

In the wild, the sun rays are constantly changing angle and the basking areas are large enough for the snake to keep moving every so often. This can not reasonably be copied in captivity.

In a rack system, where the heat tape is placed down the back...ever notice the snakes plastering themselves with their bellies up against the back wall? Belly heat You will never see a snake (unless it's suffering severe neurological problems) seeking a heated surface to lay his dorsal area on.

I never said all species of reptiles need any universal anything. Some snakes thrive in the cool and need no elevated heat for anything...ever. Some bask in the branches and can lay along these branches laterally exposing their belly to direct sunlight and heat up that way. If a large boa constrictor or python is expected to bask in this manner, and if that's all they have, they certainly will...but look out for them falling. It happens and they do sometimes get injured.

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater: A commonly used method of heating a reptile enclosure.

[razeraze]

I have housed both the boa and the retic in there. They use the entire cage and as you can see they get belly heat from the surfaces. One thing nice about the cage is the trapped heat under the shelves help heat the surfaces of the shelves. I later added branches and the cage was used for 4+ years with no ill effects, steady growth (which for my retic matched wild growth rates perfectly).

The only difference between this cage and many zoo quality cages built by a friend of mine is this cage has shelves instead of faux rock ledges. Again though they heat the same way and work perfectly.

I am done arguing with the likes of you Brett, There are good cage builders out there you are just not one of them, get over it. I would suggest anyone into cage building contact monitor and crocodilian keepers.

Here is a good quote from one of them.

"I believe that there is an overwhelming mentality that snakes are easy to keep. So, when you try to argue in favor of a naturalistic setup, the people who don't want to go to the extra effort will make any and all arguments in favor of limited setups. And, they can always site breeders who have had success with bare bones setups. Monitors are a different story. In most cases, the breeders with success have had large, naturalistic setups. So, we can site their successes when we want to promote naturalistic setups."
Chris.

Pretty much sums up why I am done talking to you. These monitor keepers keep their snakes with hight temp gradients and overhead heating.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Maybe it's a focal length thing from your camera lens but next to your bed, even if that's a kingsize bed, that cage looks tiny for either of your snakes length x width wise. Extra vertical space does not make up for lack of floor space for either species of snake you keep. Looks like it would make a great little cabinet to put all your GI Joes and stuff on display though ...but you might want to paint it. It looks like cardboard the way it is.

Pretty much sums up why I am done talking to you. These monitor keepers keep their snakes with hight temp gradients and overhead heating.

So...If I have a leaky faucet I should call an electrician? I think I understand now

[razeraze]

That was a temporary cage with 11 sqft on the bottom. That cage will be fixed up and sold as soon as we finish the new retic enclosure.

We can not paint our cages because they are too large and our apartment is too small. The fumes would most likely kill our reptiles and we could care less how they look on the outside we only care about the inside. How ever should we build cages for exhibits they will be painted.

The gentleman I know asked me to take pictures of his shed aquarium bullet ant exhibit (he went back home before the ants were put in). He does not keep ants but had no problem building an awesome cage for them.
Many times cage building can be applied to many different species as long as the cage is built correctly and the proper temps, humidity, and space is met.

I am not against anyone who keeps reptiles in different caging, I am suggesting there is nothing wrong with a properly set up large cage.

[TammyJ]

Don't really want to butt in here but....both Razeraze and JS are such charismatic and valuable members of this site, it's a shame they cannot see eye to eye, but let's remember that what is important is the health and comfort of the animals we keep. And that what works for some of us is not necessarily what others believe is right. If our animals are in good health and doing what they should be doing, and growing nicely and seem "happy", then that is our doing because we are their keepers, but it does not have to mean that someone else's idea is wrong.:closedeyes: unless of course, their animals are sick and dying off all the time.

[starmom]

UTH and lights have been addressed, but I'm wondering what the thoughts are regarding RHP's in a 6x2x2 AP reptile cage?

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater: A commonly used method of heating a reptile enclosure.

	Animal Plastics

[pythonguy21]

i think radiant heat panels are a great thing. i don't use UTH's in any of my cages and havent had a problem ever. i have heard bad things about them and i dont like the potential for malfunctions and a massive belly burn.

but some people swear by them, i however have never seen them being used at zoo's or even at the exotic pet store here. if i ever run into digestion issues then i might switch but i for now don't feel it necessary. some people use soley UTH and i dont agree with that either, then thier is no basking spot, it really comes down to preference and what works for you, everyone will think they are right, and some where in the middle will be the best.

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater: A commonly used method of heating a reptile enclosure.