Security

[One More Herper]

OK, so I have arranged to pick up my new ATB in two weeks, The aquarium I'm using is set up with perches (3 contact points each) bed-a-beast for substrate, a UTH and basking site and live Pothos vines. My question is about the lid I'm using (It's the locking screen type) and I'm wondering if ATB's are able to create enough force to get through the mesh?
Any thoughts or suggestions as to it's strength or possibly a different type of lid to use would be appreciated

Thanks
-Ben

[JonD]

I might be wrong in general but, my ATB has never even checked to see if it can escape. They seem quite content in their hide or on a few branches.

[marisa]

I have only had ONE ATB for a short period of time...(few months) and I am no expert but once I even left his cage open on accident for a few hours, the lid had accident popped up (rubbermaid) and he was sitting in the same place when I got back. LOL

But these are islolated incidents and never ever feel they won't take off without a secure lid, a mesh/screen lid like the type in the pet store should be secure enough. Give them the same amount of security you do when housing other snakes.

Marisa

[Memnoch]

I would agree with the previous 2 posts. My ATB would never leave her hide or perch even if I left the door open. When I clean the cage, I usually just pop her on the back of a chair (it's the wrought iron kind) and she'll just perch there and try to kill me whenever I come close. :-)

Wymen

[Velvet Science]

I can confirm an ATBs sedentary lifestyle as well, as i often leave cages open to answer the phone ect. and never give it a second thought. There is, however, one exception, and it will apply to you. Every snake i've ever encountered will thoroughly explore a NEW environment, and this is when a loophole will be revealed. Small changes made to an existing environment may go unnoticed by your ATB for months- but your new ATB is likely to be intimate with every nook and cranny of it's habitat within 24 hours of being introduced to it. So...make sure it's escape proof from the start. Not seeing the lid you're speaking of it's hard to give you a guarantee, but i don't think an ATB can break thru any kind of mesh. Just make sure the seals are seamless and that the top is properly clipped in place.

Tyler