Cage question.

[Sir Hiss]

Ok. I am out ready to purchase a new glass terrarium for my newest arrival. While looking, the salesperson showed me this other terrarium that was supposed to be the new favorite among snake keepers. Here is a picture off of their site and the description that is with it: If the picture does not show it can been seen at this site:

http://www.petsmart.com/reptile___amphibian/shopping/habitats___cages/products/product_11685.shtml




The Reptarium by Apogee
Herpetologists and hobbyists alike are choosing Reptarium Naturalistic Habitats to house reptiles of all kinds. The screened design allows air to circulate efficiently to help minimize sour odors and to more naturally replicate ideal temperatures. Can be customized with plants and lighting (not included) to create a unique environment. Sturdy, lightweight PVC frame with nylon mesh covering sets up quickly and is easy to clean. The zippered opening can be placed wherever it allows you the most convenient access to your reptile. Units can be placed horizontally or vertically depending on your needs. Several sizes available. Also available (sold separately) are the Reptarium Soft Trays, which are waterproof and puncture resistant linings you add to the base of the Reptarium to hold all types of substrate.






My question is simply whether this really would be good housing for a snake (They are somewhat cheaper). Anyway, with no real walls, is this able to keep in heat and humidity? Never seen one of these before, just wanted to know if others can offer an opinon.

Thanks

[HetForHuman]

This would be no good for a snake in my opinion as it is all screen.

it would be pretty hard for that thing to hold any humidity at all.

Your best bet would be to build your own custom enclosure out of say melamine. There is a post by me a little farther down on how i build my cages, and it is quite easy and cheap. also there is a few other threads on building cages other than mine too but have a look and see what you like.

But i would deffinitely steer clear of that THING you posted.

[Invictus]

Not all snakes require humidity. If you are housing a corn or a king, or some other snake that has no particularly high humidity requirement, and doesn't get too large, reptariums are fine. If it's a large snake that requires humidity, stay clear of the reptariums and go for a custom-built wooden enclosure.

[Big Mike]

I would still stay away from putting snakes in these enclosures. Kings & corns may not require high humidity but some humidity would be nice. Unless your house is very humid (by human standards) these would not be a good choice. You could always provide some other source of humidity for the snake, like a humid hide.

You also have to realize that a "salesperson" at "the pet store" is most likely not an expert on herp care (not that I am)...if they are an expert at anything it would be sales...and if that were the case they would be working someplace else. They are told to push these mesh enclosures on consumers. They probably have a very high profit margin.

Glass tanks are much more common for keeping snakes...but they are not the best way to go either. Like Invictus said...custom built wooden enclosures (or herp specific enclosures) are the best...interms of what's best for your animals.

[Derrick]

Originally posted by Big Mike
You also have to realize that a "salesperson" at "the pet store" is most likely not an expert on herp care (not that I am)...if they are an expert at anything it would be sales...and if that were the case they would be working someplace else

Hehe. They are most likely not an expert on the care of any animal. Plus anything you get from a LPS should be thoroughly sterilized, that would be a little hard to do with mesh. The one and only bag of bedding I bought for my snakes came with mites:(

[ohh_kristina]

I think those enclosures should be used for chameleons and the like only. I wouldn't put a snake in there, corn or king reguardless.

[Sir Hiss]

Thanks for your answers. It didnt look right, but I was just making sure I wasn't missing something "new" out on the market. No, I only have boas, and pythons, so obvioulsy the hmidilty needs to be higher. Yeah, I konw there is no such thing as a smart sales person. Its me belief that the whole reason they are in sales is because they are just that :not smart. Sorry if I bashed any sales people, but as in this case, they prove it it to you everything time you come in contact with them. Oh well, thanks again everyone.

[eyespy]

I use Reptariums for hospital tanks in my rescue as they can easily collapse down, go through the pots and pans cycle in the dishwasher and the autoclave for easy sterilization but I don't recommend them for anything more than short-term uses such as sunning cages. You need a lot more electricity to heat them so in the long run it's much more expensive using them.

Animals with claws can really wreak havoc on that mesh and feeder insects can chew through it so they aren't all that durable.

[Big Mike]

I read a post somewhere...someone said that they didn't think their chameleon could see out of his Reptairum. He said that the behaviour was very different compared to being kept in a more open mesh or screen enclosure. He put his head into the enclosure and said that is was difficult to see anything very clearly. So if this is true...putting a critter in one of these would be like putting them in a box. They might "feel" more secure...or they may "feel"....like a critter locked in a dark box :(

[jay76]

The only herps I've ever heard of being put into a reptarium are chams and beardies, and beardies only for catching some outdoor sun since glass tanks turn into ovens. If anyone is using "the new favorite among snake keepers" it would be interesating to hear about it.

[sapphire_moon]

I wouldn't put a snake in there it, it can't contain heat or humidity, and the snake could rub their nose raw on the mesh, if it's softer mesh it will only take longer to rub their nose raw.

[Sir Hiss]

Thanks everyone. I agree with answers given here. They all make very good sense.

[herp_collector]

Those things are utter crap. They keep almost no heat or humidity, They tear easily and when you put a heat lamp on them they bleach which may or may not lead to the lamp burning threw. I decided to move it instead of finding out.