mexican black scape?

[kuhliloach]

i'm thinking of getting a mexican black king snake when i have the money but my parents are too afraid it could escape, have any helpful hints to prove it won't or know what brand of cage clips work the best?


thanks

 

[skinheaddave]

I'm a fan of the glass aquariums with the sliding tops built in. R-zilla makes some. I don't use them at home (too expensive to house a large number of snakes) but we have them at work and they do the job really well. They are a bit pricey, but when you add up the cost of buying a tank and a lid then it actually works out really well.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[kuhliloach]

thanks for the advice


do they have 30 gallon tanks?

 

[Mushroom Spore]

You don't need anything expensive. You just need something like this: http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000255OPY/104-6623668-4932769?SubscriptionId=19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2

And something like these: http://www.petco.com/product/4353/Four-Paws-Tank-Top-Screen-Cover-Security-Clips.aspx

Provided you use them properly--for instance, you may want to use four instead of two as an added precaution, one on every side instead of only on each end--it's escapeproof unless something breaks the metal mesh. Somehow.

One of these and two locking clips have kept in my 3-4 foot male ball python for a couple years now, and if you've ever seen those snakes, they're HUGELY muscled compared to colubrids like corns and kings. I do have to use a pen to pop the locks off since I don't have the grip strength to do it by hand, but that's hardly an inconvenience.

 

[skinheaddave]

do they have 30 gallon tanks?

I think so. We only stock 10s, 20s and 40s at the store, but I remember passing by some other sizes and going with what I thought would be most useful to people. If you're looking for the larger sizes and you can't find a used tank then definitely go for one with the built-in screen. Once you price out a large glass tank and a screen top you'll see why. Of course if you can pick up a large aquarium at a garage sale and it happens to be the right dimensions for a securely fitting lid then you're way ahead of the game. I will say that a lot of people have come in with tanks they bought that are odd sizes -- so get an idea for standard tank dimensions first.

I've basically gone ahead and built all of my enclosures over the years. Looking back at my first attempt, they were pretty shabby looking but still did the trick. If you are handy with tools then this is definitely the way to go, as the experience itself can be rewarding. Even if you just get a tank and build your own lid, it is quite easy to do it right ... just depends on the tools you have available and your skill set. I used to think this was the only way to go but now that I've talked to a lot of people, I see there is some merit in just pulling something off the shelf, popping in some substrate etc. and being ready to go.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Jmugleston]

For just one snake.

I don't use glass cages anymore since numbers have forced me to use rack systems, but I used to have the glass terrariums with the sliding top. You can find them in many different sizes. I had them from 5 gallon size up to 180 gallons. You just have to look around a bit. As recommended above, they are the best choice for an escape proof cage. Many even come complete with a lock. Not needed, but helps convince snake weary parents that the animal is contained.
Joey