Proper lid for enclosure?

[leeshis0019]

So I have a 20 gallon glass tank that's pretty much all setup for my snake, but it does not have a lid. I can easily get a screen lid (for ventilation), but I've read that the screens are no good for snakes because they like to rub against their cages.

Has anyone had this issue? They make screens now with a smooth plastic material that is molded over the metal (to make it smooth), but I'm not sure if that'd be okay.



In the future (when I budget more money for it) I plan on getting a nice tank that opens on the front with a lock, but that'll be in another 2 months. For now I can get the smooth screen lid. Anyone use these and have no issues? Are Rosy boa's known for attempting to escape?

[Jrich]

I wish I could help you on finding the lid you're looking for but I can tell you this....rosy boas like other snakes are escape artists, maybe not as good but still good enough. Best of luck.

[toddnbecka]

I use foam board from the dollar store to cover several of my tanks to maintain humidity. Not generally a concern for a rosy boa, but it also keeps the snakes from rubbing against the screen tops. Ironically, a couple of my young DRMB's occasionally crawl up between the foam and the screen, but they don't rub themselves against the screen. I suspect they just like the fresher air occasionally.

[Pirarucu]

In my experience, snakes will only rub if something is wrong with their cage. Too hot, too cold, too small, etc. Or if they smell food outside the cage. Other than that, they'll nose around their cage and look for possible ways out, but won't beat themselves up trying to escape.

[leeshis0019]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

In my experience, snakes will only rub if something is wrong with their cage. Too hot, too cold, too small, etc. Or if they smell food outside the cage. Other than that, they'll nose around their cage and look for possible ways out, but won't beat themselves up trying to escape.

Thank you...

So far so good. He's just wandering around the tank, but he hasn't rubbed onto the top or anything like that. It really is a smooth plastic molding on the wiring so I'm not too concerned.

[SSSSnakes]

Most snakes don't nod rub the screens.

[Albert Clark]

For a 20 gallon glass enclosure you can buy a "versa top". It's a dual glass folding top made to fit the exact measurements of a tank and comes with a plastic attachment. The plastic fits over the glass edge and is the perfect solution to any humidity issues. It also helps with raising ambient temps. They are sold at Petland and Petco. Petsmart also carries them.

[leeshis0019]

I have finally been able to get the temperatures to a good amount in his glass tank even with the screen lid.

The humidity isn't an issue though. I was told and I've read all over that rosy boas need an environment of low humidity (which is unlike many other boas) which is why I like the screen top. Of course, he is moving into a wooden enclosure that doesn't have the screen lid on top so it's probably going to become an issue again unless the dehumidifier will do the job just fine.

[Pirarucu]

IMO, people vastly overstate the need for low humidity. My rosy is now 20+ years old and she has always been kept at whatever the humidity was inside (which, on the gulf coast, is usually around 50%.)
Besides, Rosies and almost any other desert animal spend much of their time in humid microclimates such as burrows and rock crevices. They don't need to be kept super dry all the time.

[NewHerp293]

I have a screen top for my rosys enclosure and she doesnt ever appear to rub against it. She is typically in the warm side hide or burrowed in the substrate on the cool side (theres a hide there too but she usually ends up burrowing beneath it and making a "den" in the aspen)