Snakes getting out.. - Page 2

**Aaron_S** · 11-19-12, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

And we all know your extensive experience with sucking.

I don't need to know your sick fantasies with Mykee.

KORBIN5895 · 11-19-12, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I don't need to know your sick fantasies with Mykee.

We are talking about fantasies. We are talking about your experience.

**Aaron_S** · 11-19-12, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

We are talking about fantasies. We are talking about your experience.

I have none in that department. You're confused with someone else. It's okay, you're old and a lot of people look like me

BACK ON TOPIC now...

Danimal · 11-19-12, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

The one escape Ive had in all my years of keeping was the one non fish tank I have ever used. If youd like to say screen lids suck then fine, but a glass box with a solid lid is just as safe to keep a snake in as a plastic or wood box. The difference being its better insulated

I agree Jarich, it's still user error. I get it, tanks are not for everyone or every situation but what is? Most of what I have seen over the years is similar to what Rob said, there was a hole or a gap that couldn't possibly be big enough for the snake to escape through.

Will0W783 · 11-19-12, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by infernalis: Point being, I did a few dumb things along the way, Heck I still make errors in judgement.. Anyone who has been keeping animals for any thength of time has a mortality or two under their belt, and are a lot less likely to launch a "pity party" thread when a snake dies.

Wayne, I couldn't agree with this more. Anyone who keeps a number of snakes for years will make mistakes...it's part of the learning curve. There's a period of learning for everything; unfortunately will herping it involves living creatures. I do think it's important for people to recognize their mistakes and try to learn from them; I think what's been annoying me more than anything with the large number of "my snake escaped" or "my snake won't eat" or "my snake is blue in the eyes...what's wrong?" threads is the repetition...people will go onto this forum to make a thread. WHy can't they take five minutes and see if anyone else made a similar thread and just read that and LEARN???? Then they get upset and all sore when we point out that they could have looked it up and found an answer easily, rather than expect us to magically change and pat them on the back. The answers to a question will always be the same...no matter who asks it.

There is really no excuse for repeat escapes. Having a snake escape once when you're still learning happens to a lot of people. Some people it will never happen to, but others it's part of the learning process. However, when someone lets a snake get out multiple times, I cant' even comment because I will lose my temper. It's negligence. I've had snakes escape...a few years ago I kept everything in second-hand homemade melamine enclosures. They weren't the best, and after an escape, I redid all the locks. After another snake escaped, I saved up for new cages and got rid of those. I had to pare down on the number of snakes I had to afford the new cages, but it was worth it because all my animals are secure and safe now.

Fish tanks are NEVER good enclosures for snakes. They do not hold humidity, and the screen tops don't even allow for efficient heating because all the hot air wants to just escape out the top. Even with cage clips, snakes can push up a corner and get out. Even with a sliding lid, snakes can press up against the screen and work a spot loose from the edging (the screens are usually only held in with a strip of rubber...flimsy). Furthermore, aquariums are so expensive now compared to commercially available snake-specific caging that they just aren't worth it. I personally LOVE PM Herps line of cages. They're lightweight plastic with tight-fitting doors that lock with turning pegs or can be keyed. Boaphile and Boamaster and Vision also all make nice snake-friendly caging.

An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. People don't research and think before getting animals, and then the animals suffer. Not ok.

infernalis · 11-19-12, 10:22 AM

we should make a sticky FAQ thread!!!

Then when the same questions pop up, direct them to it.

jarich · 11-19-12, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Fish tanks are NEVER good enclosures for snakes. They do not hold humidity, and the screen tops don't even allow for efficient heating because all the hot air wants to just escape out the top. Even with cage clips, snakes can push up a corner and get out. Even with a sliding lid, snakes can press up against the screen and work a spot loose from the edging (the screens are usually only held in with a strip of rubber...flimsy). Furthermore, aquariums are so expensive now compared to commercially available snake-specific caging that they just aren't worth it. I personally LOVE PM Herps line of cages. They're lightweight plastic with tight-fitting doors that lock with turning pegs or can be keyed. Boaphile and Boamaster and Vision also all make nice snake-friendly caging.

An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. People don't research and think before getting animals, and then the animals suffer. Not ok.

Ok, if we would like to start another thread on aquariums, Im more than happy to participate in that debate. But once again, your whole point here is the lid, not the aquarium. And also, this is a thread on escaping, which has nothing to do with glass.

**millertime89** · 11-19-12, 10:54 AM

My one escape was when I drilled a whole for the t-stat probe that was too big, didn't think my little BRB could get through it, I was wrong. Tore apart my entire room searching for him, found him 1 foot below his cage in my dresser, obvious place that I didn't think to check first. Did I run to the forum and make a post? Nope. If you check on your snakes regularly you can usually catch them inspecting potential escape routes. My BP always has his nose through one of his bigger air holes but he can't fit his head through (I'll try and get a picture sometime, kinda funny).

When you buy an animal you are taking full responsibility for its care and by not making sure the enclosure is secure after ONE escape you are failing that responsibility. Don't just assume they can't push the lid off, because they will. Check the lids strength, if its flexible, the snake will eventually figure out it can push its way out.

EmbraceCalamity · 11-19-12, 11:30 AM

I can see it happening. I haven't had a reptile escape from their setup since I was 7, but it still happens. It's just not something that should be happening habitually, especially not with the same one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I've preached it forever. Fish cages SUCK.

HISSSSSSS.

~Maggot

Will0W783 · 11-19-12, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S View Post
I've preached it forever. Fish cages SUCK.
Originally posted by EmbraceCalamity:
HISSSSSSS.

Why the animosity, Maggot? In most cases, fish cages (aquariums) are inadequate for snakes. They might be ok for temperate snakes like garters, corns and kinds, but definitely not for the most tropical exotics. Why buy a heavy, fragile, hard-to-secure, expensive glass tank when you can spend the same, or less, on a PVC or melamine enclosure made with snakes/reptiles in mind?

EmbraceCalamity · 11-19-12, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Why the animosity, Maggot? In most cases, fish cages (aquariums) are inadequate for snakes. They might be ok for temperate snakes like garters, corns and kinds, but definitely not for the most tropical exotics. Why buy a heavy, fragile, hard-to-secure, expensive glass tank when you can spend the same, or less, on a PVC or melamine enclosure made with snakes/reptiles in mind?

...

I wasn't being serious. Chill out.

~Maggot

Falconeer999 · 11-19-12, 01:15 PM

I'm just curious where people are getting these cheaper PVC/melamine enclosures I've seen mentioned so many times because I can get a 40gal Zilla critter keeper for $40-50 on sale at PetCo (every other month they have them for 50% off and on the opposite months they have $1/gallon on regular aquariums).

Will0W783 · 11-19-12, 01:25 PM

I usually buy my PVC enclosures used. If you check Craigslist every few days, and scan Fauna you can find some good stuff.

Will0W783 · 11-19-12, 01:28 PM

My problem with aquariums is the combination of glass tank + screen lid is generally not tremendously secure or easy to heat/humidify. I use Companion Habitats displays for my non-venomous stuff. They are made of glass, but the units seal and slide out on trays and have access from top and sides. They are pretty much the kind of cages Petco and Petsmart use for their reptiles.

These are glass, but not typical aquariums. I've found them to work wonderfully for my snakes.

**millertime89** · 11-19-12, 07:58 PM

I find my PVC enclosures at expos and on the local herp groups. If I can't drive to pick it up its not worth it to ship due to the size of them. I've gotten some pretty good deals buying used. Always powerwash and let it sit for a few days if you buy used before putting an animal in.