ok need a cage for a hot snake.!

[codykrr]

ha...well im going to be needing to either build a nice SAFE enclosure for a hot. or buy one. but i dont have 300+ to spend on one. so what should i do? ive asked before without much help but im really needing it now guys. any one have pics of there safe hot enclosures. that are nice, yet ideal for safe keeping. preferably with a place for locks. any pics will help.

 

[skippy]

how big you need it to be?

 

[David_F]

Hey Cody.

I think for the size of the snake you'll be getting something like a plastic shoe box, or something of similar size, will be perfect. For security, something Ive done with bigger non-venomous snakes is just drill some holes through the lip on a plastic tub (and the lid, of course) and fasten it with nuts and bolts. Not something I'd recommend for bigger hots but it should work for something this small. For added safety just put the main enclosure inside a larger tub or aquarium. Obviously, keep the whole thing in a very secure room. Think overkill when it comes to security.

A set-up like this can give you some time to save for a nicer enclosure.

 

[Lucas339]

over kill is a must when working with HOTs!!

what are you getting? can't really answer the cage question without knowing that. i wouldn't suggest a tub set up if it is an aggressive hot. i would fear popping the top off of the tub and the snake would be right there ready to strike. to me, the more secure way would be an enclosure that opens from the front. that way you can see the animal and know where it is before you open it.

 

[Jmugleston]

If money for caging is an issue, you might want to rethink your desire to acquire a venomous snake. Caging can be quite expensive and if you're wanting to get into hots, you don't want to skimp at all. The risks aren't worth it. That said, what species are you considering? The caging tips and requirements will differ greatly depending on your target species. You may get more assistance if you say you're looking for caging ideas for species "X" instead of grouping them all together as just "Hots"

 

[codykrr]

its a baby pygmy rattler(western) i know it is very small to begin with, and a 10 gallong would probly suffice. but i really want o acually build one. these snakes range anywhere rom 15 to 30 inches. (not very big) so something a 10 gallon maybe a 15. i want it big enough to give it a natural missouri setup. with a good heat gradient. and i dont plan on skimping if i built it. but i dont want to spend 300 dollars on a cage thats a little much. i would like to build something like this.

View attachment 80453

it looks nice. but i cant seems to find melamine to build it. any suggestions on were to get it.

 

[blackcadillac70]

i have my rattlers in old tv.cases with plexi glass where the screen was and fine wire for the speakers with a built top with locking pins there very nice if you know what i'm talkin bout.cheap to build.i bought mine but you seem to have a talent for woodwork.

 

[KoffinKat138]

Boa Master makes some Pretty Awsome cages,and they have one out now thats ment for Hots,and would be perfect for a baby.Its got all the Locks and safety Mechanisms,to keep you safe. http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=22&de=653829

 

[codykrr]

ok guys, this project will definatly be in the very distant future....why? because i just found out that the baby rattler im getting is only the size of a quater coiled up. didnt expect it to be that small...(4 inches in length.) so i am going to just mae a very simple setup out of a 2.5 gallon tank with a locking lid.

 

[codykrr]

ok guys and gals...now im stuck between 2 things....

1. is i found a cheap neodesha cage that measures, 12W X 8.25H X 6D for 32 bucks.

or 2. i could buy a enclosure rom tarantula cages.com...

now this is where im stuck...i know neodesha cages are mentfor venomous snakes, but, i dont care much for the looks, and cant get them in black.

i like how tarantula cages looks nice, and yu can make them more natural looking.

so what would you al do?

oh and for those whole absolutly love neodesha cages out there there back in buisness here is there site. with newer and better products. www.npicages.com

 

[David_F]

As long as they both offer the level of security you're after you should go with the one you like the most. Just keep in mind that you want something that makes it easy for you to work in as well as keeping the snake safely contained.

I didn't look at the links because I'm using my phone. No multiple windows. I don't know what features the second model you mentioned offers but I have seen Neodesha cages before. They're easy to work with and they offer great visibility of the animal before you open the cage. May be something I consider for my own snakes. I think I remember reading something about a lip above the door that may provide the snake with a very inconvenient (for the keeper) hiding place. Could be a bad thing.

I'm glad to know Neodesha is back in business. They made some nice stuff.

 

[josh_r]

here are my cages that i build for my hots. sorry for the crappy pics... i still need to finish the housing for the lights and i am building another row of cages to go on top of that second row. i also have to seal the wood. the towel on the bottom is VERY temporary. will be really nice when its finally done. once the wood is sealed, i am going to make naturalistic setups of the habitat each species comes from. i'm going to try to get native rock, soil, and even plants that match each habitat. will be interesting. can't wait to get it done.

-josh

 

[josh_r]

I think I remember reading something about a lip above the door that may provide the snake with a very inconvenient (for the keeper) hiding place. Could be a bad thing.

i know the lip you speak of. i have seen friends often wondering where their snake went only to find it tucked up in that lip perfectly concealed. this is something i would worry about with venomous. the bad thing about the lip is it is not just on the bottom, but all the way around the front of the cage. you never know where the snake may be sitting on that lip.

-josh

 

[codykrr]

what "lip" do you guys speak of? and do you know if the newer models have the "lip" ive heard people talking aout it, but only with the older models.

 

[Big Red TJ]

i know the lip you speak of. i have seen friends often wondering where their snake went only to find it tucked up in that lip perfectly concealed. this is something i would worry about with venomous. the bad thing about the lip is it is not just on the bottom, but all the way around the front of the cage. you never know where the snake may be sitting on that lip.

-josh

Thats why with all the hot's I owned in the past I add a strip of mirror to the top back of the cage, to allow me to see the front top and bottom lip....just my 2 cents Matt

 

[Amenagerie]

Thats why with all the hot's I owned in the past I add a strip of mirror to the top back of the cage, to allow me to see the front top and bottom lip....just my 2 cents Matt

Great idea!

 

[LeilaNami]

cody here is a site I found about building your own secure cage. We plan to do the same so we can fully customize it.

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/tips.shtml

 

[codykrr]

hey thanks! but ive decided to just get a neodesha cage. acually cages. they have a 36 and 24 inch combo for like 219 im going to buy. one for my ball(the 36 incher) and the other for the rattler down the line...way down the line. ive decided to get the smaller 12X8 1/4X 6 for now. but if i was to ever get an ackie or tegu(wife wants a tegu) id definatly build an enclosure.