Cage question for a retic

[Slcburm]

So I have another custom cage. 6ft long 2 ft wide. I am buying a hatchling retic this week and this is the only cage I have. I know its too big for a baby so im thinking of 2-3 hides, a few fake plants etc to give him a bit of security. think this will work..any objections?

[Rogue628]

Did you finally find one you wanted? :D

I don't know if I'd use that cage right off for a hatchling, even with extra hides and a bunch of foliage. Although the size would be nice for it later.

I would suggest getting a small rubbermaid tub for a hatchling. They're cheap and easy to make into a good enclosure for snakes. I started my burms off in smaller ones and just got them larger ones as they grew. Not a waste of money as they're not expensive. I think the largest I've ever bought was less than $20..and those are about a 4x2...give or take a couple of inches.

A general rule with hatchlings is the smaller the enclosure the better as smaller ones give them more sense of security and that helps alot in acclimating your animal since larger, more open enclosures can stress them out.

[Slcburm]

That was my concern was feeling safe. Never did the Tupperware thing. Usually I use a 30 gal set up but have nothing but this big *** cage. What do you use to heat the container?

Yea I found a tiger from local breeder

[Rogue628]

I did use UTH's on a rheostat. Now I'm using flexwatt but I also have several animals on a shelving unit, almost like having a rack, so it works better. I wish I had used flexwatt in the beginning TBH.

Back when I first started keeping snakes in the 90's, I always used either glass tanks or some manmade enclosures. However, since I began keeping again a little over a year ago, I started using plastic containers for my animals that can comfortably fit in them and I honestly like them MUCH better than I did my old way. They're alot easier to keep clean, lighter in weight so that made cleaning alot easier as well. They hold heat and humidity so much better so it's not a constant battle in those areas.

Trust me, that retic will be fitting in that huge enclosure in no time. :) But with a hatchling, the easier and quicker you can get it acclimated, the better for the animal and keeper.

[Lankyrob]

I have always put babies straight into adult size vivs, just provide about 90% of the floor space as hides/foliage/bark pieces etc and should be ok in my opinion.

[KORBIN5895]

I have always put babies straight into adult size vivs, just provide about 90% of the floor space as hides/foliage/bark pieces etc and should be ok in my opinion.

Personally I would do this as this will be amazing for that little guy to have the room. I just put my 33" boa In a 4'x2'2' enclosure and she uses it all. I mean all of it.

[Slcburm]

Well I dont have another option and I know within a few months he will be in there anyhow. Thanks for all the help. Im going to try him in the big cage, let him settle for 7-10 days and if he starts eating fine then he will stay there

[jarich]

I would agree with putting him in the larger enclosure, provided there is a lot of cover and foliage. (why not use real plants? Then you get the bonus of added humidity and fresh air too) I'd also say no handling for those first two weeks at least. I think handling during acclimation is much more of an issue than enclosure size.

[millertime89]

Provide plenty of hides and don't be surprised if you get a few love nips when you're trying to find him. That cage will be big enough for quite some time. Are you getting a male or a female? Morph? Which breeder? If you get a male odds are that'll be big enough its entire life, if you get a female you might have to bump it up in size in a year or two.

[Slcburm]

Oh I expect a few nips regardless lol