Are covering side of tanks needed

[TheFrogman]

Hello, I'm new here and a new snake owner. I just picked up my first Corn Snake today, I'm curious, do I need to cover three sides of my snakes tank like I do with my frogs vivarium ?

[Hurrok]

Welcome and Congrats on the new corn! They are great pets to have so you will have some fun!

As for the siding....You can if you want too. It's not necessary but if it's in a high traffic area it may feel a bit safer :)

[Mikoh4792]

I've observed my snakes being more comfortable with opaque sides. By this I mean I'll see them roam around their enclosures more. Not sure how this applies to adult snakes that have settled in nicely but I'm mainly talking about new or young snakes.

[Jim Smith]

I recently moved my Honduran milk snake from an aquarium with all glass sides to a PVC snake cage with only a clear plexiglass front. The change on behavior was immediate. She is definitely more comfortable and explores her enclosure much more openly. I wish I'd thought to ask the same question you did when I first started out. It sure made a difference with my snake.

[Stewjoe]

It is not necessary but I highly recommend it. I have always blacked out 3 sides of my glass cages.

[TheFrogman]

Thanks for all the advise, Ill cover it with white paper for now and get something nice tomorrow.

[MizCandice]

I do with my more nervous animals, but most dont require it as long as they have a couple hides to dart in if they get a sudden scare. Ill note however my reptiles ( save those in quarentine) are in a seperate room not a high traffic spot in my house.

[EL Ziggy]

Hey ladies and gents- What do you all use to cover your tank sides with? I like the cork board but it was a little pricey by the sheet.

[Concept9]

I use cork tiles.

26542

[drumcrush]

I covered the sides for the eastern garter and he is definitely out a lot and doesn't ever really go into his hides at all

[Jim Smith]

I found that decorative moss mats also work great. You simply tape it to the outside of your aquarium, obviously with the moss side facing the inside of the aquarium. Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Amazon.com - 20" x 48" Sphagnum Dried Moss Floral Mat Sheet (http://www.amazon.com/Sphagnum-Dried-Moss-Floral-Sheet/dp/B007I77C4K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384545883&sr=8-1&keywords=sphagnum+moss+cloth)

If you look around, I'm sure you could find it in other colors as well or even "dust" it with shades of brown spray paint to make your own look.

Just one other possible solution.

[Darkbird]

I actually use dark colored contact paper. Cheap, does the job well and is easily removed even years later. Downside is the pattern, if any, is not on both sides. I need to locate some more now though, not as common as it used to be.

[mmarchl23]

I like to take peices of carboard and tape them to the outside. I typically paint them in a camo pattern it kinda flows with the decor inside.

[Starbuck]

MBK boy, the cork panels are inside the enclosure, correct?

[Concept9]

MBK boy, the cork panels are inside the enclosure, correct?

Yes they are.

[Starbuck]

looks very nice. I was just curious. You don't have any issues with the sticky side coming undone?

[Concept9]

looks very nice. I was just curious. You don't have any issues with the sticky side coming undone?

Yes and no. When I first did it, I used two way tape and after about 5 weeks it started to lift a little bit (I got scare they may come off and my snake get caught in it) so I re did it by removing all the tape and using aquarium silicone to secure the tiles, its solid now.

[TheFrogman]

I digging the whole cork idea also

[Concept9]

I digging the whole cork idea also

Yea I love it. I trying to get a large Buda statue and or Mayan ruin pyramids to give it that ancient rainforest look. It will be my Titanoboa enclosure. :)

[formica]

depends on the snake, some can become quite stressed if they feel exposed, others may rub their noses on the glass, trying to leave the enclosure, and not being able to understand that glass is impenetrable, they will continue to do it to the point of doing damage to themselves. anything from decorative walls, to simple pieces of cardboard will help deal with this issue.

tbh the temperature instability is my biggest concern, glass enclosures cool and heat much faster than wood or plastic, and they do not distribute the heat of a UTH quite as well. Glass is also cold to the touch, which is another issue for a snake ability to thermoregulate.

White Polystyrene, although not as pretty as cork or fern walls, is an excellent way to maintain a more stable temperature inside a glass enclosure.

plastic enclosures solve all these problems without as much faffing about :) wood is good too, for species which dont require to much humidity or for people handy with sealants and waterproofing varnishes

[shaunyboy]

the only time ive had to cover tanks is when dealing with nervous feeders...

all my tanks only have glass at the front,as i'm not a fan of glass tanks

cheers shaun