Rack system ?

sattva · 08-02-16, 09:41 AM

I have been trying to understand the pros and cons of the snake rack systems! If every need is provided for them and they get to hide the majority of the time and they have no feels whatsoever, {as some claim}. Then how can this be considered unusual punishment? For what I read living in the wild is no picnic... So ya! why not a rack system?

**Aaron_S** · 08-02-16, 09:46 AM

As in another thread, Andy_G stated that it's a case by case basis based on species and individual specimen.

Racks, as he mentioned, were originally intended for new wild caught specimens. To break down husbandry to the bare bones to figure out accurate temps, humidity, feeding. To control disease and infection with a simple sterile set up.
It did wonders for the industry in figuring out how best to breed and keep many animals.

To this day, they are still used, sometimes overused. I'm a firm believer in them for a lot of reptiles, but not every one.

macandchz · 08-02-16, 06:40 PM

i think if you are going to get involved with breeding multiple snakes it's ok to use racks. i personally like an enclosure so i can watch my snake without stressing him out. i don't care what they say about a snake having no feelings-i can't stand to see a large snake cramped into a small space.

pet_snake_78 · 08-02-16, 06:49 PM

There are large tubs and small tubs, large enclosures and small ones, rack vs enclosure argument makes no sense for terrestrial species. I have 4' enclosures and 4' tubs. There are some species I keep that I think benefit more from overhead basking, though, and it is easier to watch them in enclosures. Either can be built to be relatively space efficient.

bigsnakegirl785 · 08-02-16, 08:40 PM

For me, the only pros I can think of (since I do not intend on working with wild caught specimens), is economic high volume and temporary housing for neonate snakes, quarantine set ups for small snakes, and economy of space. I haven't had a shy animal that needed a small enclosed space like that before, but I have heard of it working for other keepers. If I experience such an individual I'll give it a try, but I generally resort to adding more cover rather than reducing the enclosure size, and that's worked for me.

Some cons are it can encourage keepers to get more animals than they'll be able to care for, it can be restricting for arboreal and semi-arboreal snakes (at least for adults) due to lack of height, and I am not a fan of belly heat as a primary heat source. It's a pain to work with, and less forgiving of mistakes. I've noticed better digestion rates in the snakes I've switched over from belly heat to overhead heat; they poop more often and their bulges dissipate faster. These are just two individuals, though, admittedly. Belly heat also cannot combat a water spill as easily as ambient can. A water dish tips over, the snake becomes cold and wet and the heat tape/pad can't really warm the tub back up. A dish tips over in an ambient heat set up and it gets warmed quite nicely and evaporates away before the snake can become ill. This is how I suspect my ghost boa became ill.

For me and my current needs, stackable PVC enclosures are more than economical. I can fit at least 9 4'x2'x2's and 2 6'x2'x3's in one teeny tiny room, I think it's 7'x11' roughly but don't remember exactly. Plus a small 4'x3' closet off to the side. I could fit twice as much if there wasn't a bathroom cutting the square footage in half.

sattva · 08-02-16, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

For me, the only pros I can think of (since I do not intend on working with wild caught specimens), is economic high volume and temporary housing for neonate snakes, quarantine set ups for small snakes, and economy of space. I haven't had a shy animal that needed a small enclosed space like that before, but I have heard of it working for other keepers. If I experience such an individual I'll give it a try, but I generally resort to adding more cover rather than reducing the enclosure size, and that's worked for me.

Some cons are it can encourage keepers to get more animals than they'll be able to care for, it can be restricting for arboreal and semi-arboreal snakes (at least for adults) due to lack of height, and I am not a fan of belly heat as a primary heat source. It's a pain to work with, and less forgiving of mistakes. I've noticed better digestion rates in the snakes I've switched over from belly heat to overhead heat; they poop more often and their bulges dissipate faster. These are just two individuals, though, admittedly. Belly heat also cannot combat a water spill as easily as ambient can. A water dish tips over, the snake becomes cold and wet and the heat tape/pad can't really warm the tub back up. A dish tips over in an ambient heat set up and it gets warmed quite nicely and evaporates away before the snake can become ill. This is how I suspect my ghost boa became ill.

For me and my current needs, stackable PVC enclosures are more than economical. I can fit at least 9 4'x2'x2's and 2 6'x2'x3's in one teeny tiny room, I think it's 7'x11' roughly but don't remember exactly. Plus a small 4'x3' closet off to the side. I could fit twice as much if there wasn't a bathroom cutting the square footage in half.

Great info... Thanks... I definitely want to get the right cages for my guy's when money permits.. I'd love to do the PVC enclosures but aren't they big bucks? There is a local guy here who builds them. Long Life Reptile Cages
I am hoping to get all three cages built for around $1000.oo

bigsnakegirl785 · 08-03-16, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sattva

Great info... Thanks... I definitely want to get the right cages for my guy's when money permits.. I'd love to do the PVC enclosures but aren't they big bucks? There is a local guy here who builds them. Long Life Reptile Cages
I am hoping to get all three cages built for around $1000.oo

You can get short PVC cages for a couple hundred bucks each at Animal Plastics, T8's and T10's are on sale for under $200 base price, and Ali does deals for multiple cages. I personally like the taller cages at least 2' tall, so they're more expensive. If you want to offer ample head space, getting a T8 or T10 may not be your best option, but they're good if you want to get several cages done for cheap. Had 2 T12's shipped for around $1,200 or so, including lights and basking shelves. You could always talk to Ali and see what she can do.

sattva · 08-03-16, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

You can get short PVC cages for a couple hundred bucks each at Animal Plastics, T8's and T10's are on sale for under $200 base price, and Ali does deals for multiple cages. I personally like the taller cages at least 2' tall, so they're more expensive. If you want to offer ample head space, getting a T8 or T10 may not be your best option, but they're good if you want to get several cages done for cheap. Had 2 T12's shipped for around $1,200 or so, including lights and basking shelves. You could always talk to Ali and see what she can do.

Sounds good! I'll check it out... Thanks

**EL Ziggy** · 08-03-16, 08:53 PM

I prefer display enclosures. You've got some really nice snakes satt. I can't imagine not being able to view them. Watching my critters is probably my favorite part of keeping them. I'm a big fan of AP cages too. Like BSG said, they're very well made, lightweight, stackable, and fairly affordable. And I think they look pretty nice.

serpentgirl123 · 08-04-16, 04:45 AM

I agree with Ziggy, I love AP (all my racks and cages are from there/Ali). Eventually I plan to buy more cages in the next coming months/years and I will still have a combo of racks/cages.

I love the racks for the smaller/baby snakes up to a certain size. Also not seeing them slither around is not a big deal to me at all, as most of the cages are covered anyway. I think one just needs to get to know their individual animals and adjust accordingly. I know my adult boa, despite being in a fairly large cage, hardly ever moves around (he is in my room and I see/hear him all the time). I probably won't go bigger as he seems to do better in not overly HUGE spaces. I give that "option" having plenty of space to move to all my animals, regardless if they are in a cage/enclosure or rack and how "inactive" they seem.

franks · 08-04-16, 05:49 AM

Thats looks awesome ziggy.

sattva · 08-04-16, 07:55 AM

Ya those are nice ziggy! Might just be the way to go...

**Aaron_S** · 08-04-16, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sattva

I have been trying to understand the pros and cons of the snake rack systems! If every need is provided for them and they get to hide the majority of the time and they have no feels whatsoever, {as some claim}. Then how can this be considered unusual punishment? For what I read living in the wild is no picnic... So ya! why not a rack system?

Further. I don't recommend racks for someone who only wants 3 - 4 animals and are really enjoying just being a "pet owner". You'd be more rewarded by the visibility of the animals.

sattva · 08-04-16, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Further. I don't recommend racks for someone who only wants 3 - 4 animals and are really enjoying just being a "pet owner". You'd be more rewarded by the visibility of the animals.

Ya I agree with you... I wasn't really thinking for me. I was just trying to see the pros and cons of it...