Has anyone ever used...

[sam4snakes]

a showcase like those seen in jewelry stores for an enclosure? I have the opportunity to get one at a good price and was wondering if you all knew of any pro's or con's.
Thanks
Sam

[ChunkyMunky]

I think it would work great as long as it is escape proof and has some ventilation.

[Jeff_Favelle]

What are you using it for?


Ha ha, we're not psychic.

[sam4snakes]

oops...it will house a Rainbow Boa.

[Jeff_Favelle]

I wouldn't use it for Rainbows. Coudld you? Yes. Should you? Probably not. It CAN be done though.

[Conas]

Sam, i'm not as qualified as Jeff, but i say go for it. I myself looked at old jewelry cases on Ebay a few weeks back and thought it would be nice to try some day. Good luck w/ what ever you choose! :)

[jwsporty]

Jeff, curious why you think a store fixture would not be appropriate for a Rainbow? Although I don't have any in my personal collection it is my understanding that they require high humidity. A store fixture can easily be setup to accomodate humidity issues, it has lots of space for movement and extra large water dishes, ventilation can be controlled by hole cutting the glass and installing vents where needs. You can easily setup independant thermal zones by allowing access to and using the under storage areas. The only downside is they are heavy so moving them around can be a problem. I am doing exactly this for my Red Tail BCI as his permanent home.

Jim

[Jeff_Favelle]

All-glass sides. Its a no-no.


Where are Rainbows from? Deep, dark, dank tropical rainforests. And in these forests, they aren't even found in the open! They hide under rotting logs and vegetation and in the water. Its their nature. They have been built to do this. Put them in a cage that's open on all sides and instantly its like putting them in a white room with spotlights on them. They don't like it. They like to sit in the dark and wait for prey. Its what they do.

I didn't say it couldn't be done, I just said that it wouldn't be ideal for them. And it isn't. Ideal, that is.

[Jeff_Favelle]

High humidity is not the ONLY factor to keeping Rainbows. That would be like saying that a branch is the only factor to keep and breed GTPs or Emmies. Or that water is the only factor to breed dart frogs.

Putting a Rainbow in a humid box does not ensure success. Not in the least. It ensures that you have ONE BASIC area of husbandry covered. THat's it.

[jwsporty]

I understand the openess element of the showcases, however this is something that can be easily overcome by using background decorative scenery or black paint painted directly on the glass on the back, top and two sides(on the outside). And I was not implying that humidity was the only element to consider. Space, temperature, accessablility, ease of cleaning, lighting, ventilation, and of course, humidity are all important factors and need to be considered when designing for species specific enclosures.

Just playing the devil's advocate..;)
Have a great one Jeff

Jim

[Invictus]

I think another thing you might want to consider is the thickness of the glass. Jewellery cases don't ften have very thick glass, and boids are strong little buggers....