Cage Height?

SnoopySnake · 01-07-15, 03:36 PM

I'm curios about what your guys' opinions are on enclosure height. I personally would like to be able to provide enclosures as tall as the snake is long (I know this isn't always possible with snakes like burms, retics, etc.). I also believe that what most of us consider suitable for a captive animal is usually not actually much height compared to what these animals face in their natural habitats.

For example.. it seems as if many people consider a 4x2x2 as a tall enclosure for a terrestrial snake, such as ball pythons and dumeril's boas, but if you think about it that's probably roughly the height variance that they would face in their natural environment.

Not trying to start a debate, I'm just curious about everyone's views on what we should be providing for enclosure height. I do realize this can depend on species.

Mikoh4792 · 01-07-15, 03:48 PM

In my opinion, there are no tall enclosures in most people's collections, including my own. You are right in that 2 ft is nothing even for the terrestrial species, but I think the "minimum" sizes are still absolutely fine in that they won't cause any problems for the animals. Bigger is just better.

There are a few people on this forum that provide their animals very large cages(I forgot his name, but an example would be the person with the tiger ratsnake).

SnoopySnake · 01-07-15, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

In my opinion, there are no tall enclosures in most people's collections, including my own. You are right in that 2 ft is nothing even for the terrestrial species, but I think the "minimum" sizes are still absolutely fine in that they won't cause any problems for the animals. Bigger is just better.

There are a few people on this forum that provide their animals very large cages(I forgot his name, but an example would be the person with the tiger ratsnake).

Oh I agree, I guess I should have also stated that by no means do I think the minimum is unacceptable. The minimum is completely fine. I personally just like to provide more.

I believe that would be Roman, not 100% sure though.

CosmicOwl · 01-07-15, 04:22 PM

I think that even for semi arboreal species, floor space is still a bigger priority than height.

Obsidian_Dragon · 01-07-15, 04:27 PM

I'm a pretty big fan of "bigger is better"...at least for the snake. Maybe less so for us.

ETA: Floor space is more key, sure, but I like to provide more than the minimum height too, because I think even terrestrial snakes will take advantage of climbing space.

SnoopySnake · 01-07-15, 04:35 PM

I do also agree that floor space is also more important. Which is why I prefer to make the length of the enclosure at least the length of the snake and the width between 1/3 or 1/2 of the snake.

Mikoh4792 · 01-07-15, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopySnake

Oh I agree, I guess I should have also stated that by no means do I think the minimum is unacceptable. The minimum is completely fine. I personally just like to provide more.

I believe that would be Roman, not 100% sure though.

Yup that was him. Love his enclosures

BIGT FROM F.B. · 01-07-15, 05:45 PM

I had a 150 tall that I had a tropical fish setup in and converted to a snake enclosure. Not a good idea, IMO. I had to use reaching help every time I needed to reach the bottom for anything.. water changes, poop scoop, getting the snake out, glass cleaning etc. If you have long arms and are tall, probably not a problem. We short people wouldn't prefer though. Sold it last week and now waiting on my custom rack system from Radical Racks!

SnoopySnake · 01-07-15, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGT FROM F.B.

I had a 150 tall that I had a tropical fish setup in and converted to a snake enclosure. Not a good idea, IMO. I had to use reaching help every time I needed to reach the bottom for anything..

That's where those nifty front opening cages come into play

I know what you mean though, I have a 55 gal. sitting on my 3 ft tall dresser and I have to use a chair.

BIGT FROM F.B. · 01-07-15, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopySnake

That's where those nifty front opening cages come into play

I know what you mean though, I have a 55 gal. sitting on my 3 ft tall dresser and I have to use a chair.

Yeah, I've head we short people "got no reason to live".

Mad Max · 01-07-15, 08:00 PM

I think that a 6' x 2' x 2' is probably going to be an alright size for my snake, but I don't consider it to be a tall cage. Anything over 3 feet would be taller than I'm used to seeing.

SnoopySnake · 01-07-15, 11:31 PM

Oh and also if anyone has any tall enclosenclosures I'd love to see them! Unfortunately I can't yet provide the height I would prefer for my snakes.

**Minkness** · 01-07-15, 11:47 PM

I consider my cresties tanks as 'tall' if only because they are taller than they are wide or deep, but dimensions are pretty close to a 10 gallon fish tank.

However, I did see an amazing 'standing' enclosure that someone made out of an old wall unit thing. Pretty amazing really o.o