Venomous Quarantine Housing Ideas

[CrotalusFan]

As the title implies I’m looking for ideas/recommendations on temporary housing/quarantining ideas for venomous reptiles. Multiple species and sizes of Crotalus to be exact. I’m considering building a rack system but unless I go pretty large (66-Qt Sterilite 18888) to give me height I don’t know that I consider a rack the best/safest option for me.

My juvenile EDB has a bit of an attitude and doesn’t ride a hook well, which can require a bit of patience getting her into a 6” high Sterilite without her turning around and trying to shoot out on me…..I don’t want to deal with this with a larger ticked off atrox if I can help it. It’s doable but if I have to go rack I think the extra height of the model above would be much easier/safer to work with; provided climate control isn’t an issue.

That said and prior to making any decisions I figured I’d poll the forum. I don’t maintain a large enough collection to require racks on a regular basis and the primary purpose will simply be for quarantine. Secondly I don’t have a dedicated quarantine room so they’d be housed in the spare BR prior to being moved into their permanent residence. Safety and ease of workability are what I’m looking for. Thanks….

[IW17]

Build your own rack using deep tubs. I'll take I pic of mine and post it.

[SnoopySnake]

I don't think a rack is the most practical thing for quarantine considering that it would have any new additions right next to each other? Maybe I misunderstood something?

[IW17]

This is the one I built using 110q sterilite tubs and a plastic shelf from home Depot. Doesn't look great but works and was cheap. Great for when you want temporary but don't want a huge investment in something that at one point won't be used. These tubs are almost the same size as a 40 gallon breeder. 35"wide x 19"deep x 13"tall. Sorry the pic is sideways but the left is the bottom.

[CrotalusFan]

Originally Posted by IW17

This is the one I built using 110q sterilite tubs and a plastic shelf from home Depot. Doesn't look great but works and was cheap. Great for when you want temporary but don't want a huge investment in something that at one point won't be used. These tubs are almost the same size as a 40 gallon breeder. 35"wide x 19"deep x 13"tall. Sorry the pic is sideways but the left is the bottom.

Hey Thanks! That's pretty much exactly what I had in mind but had planned on using melamine. Yours is more practical for my purpose though as it is more than likely going to be a one time use.

I don't think a rack is the most practical thing for quarantine considering that it would have any new additions right next to each other? Maybe I misunderstood something?

You're not missing anything and I completely agree with your logic. It's far from ideal. I have a few dedicated quarantine tanks but with just starting back up in the hobby I've been picking one or two up every other month at the shows so they're going to be used pretty regularly. I don't typically do wild caught but am going to be in a situation in a few months where I may have the opportunity to pick up a few species very difficult to get in my area and am trying to come up with a method of quarantine that's not going to bankrupt me. I can't afford to pick up enough thermostats and single enclosures to cover my potential needs with this trip and I'm out of other ideas. I'm certainly open to alternative suggestions.

[CrotalusR#1]

I personally fine racks and crotalids a nasty combination. Maybe one way to use tubs as a way of quarantining would be to only have a certain amount in there at one time, aqcuire them at the same time and treat them all at once. There could be problems with that, it's just an idea. I quarantine in a separate room so I don't have to deal with these potental problems.

[CrotalusFan]

Originally Posted by CrotalusR#1

I personally fine racks and crotalids a nasty combination. Maybe one way to use tubs as a way of quarantining would be to only have a certain amount in there at one time, aqcuire them at the same time and treat them all at once. There could be problems with that, it's just an idea. I quarantine in a separate room so I don't have to deal with these potental problems.

I recently completed construction of a dedicated snake room so the quarantine is actually taking place in a separate room from my primary collection. For now I'll be quarantining my CB purchased at shows in my BR in individual inclusures. Not ideal I know but live alone and don't consider it a huge safety risk for the time being. There's a show every two months so provided everythings well I'm able to move them into my dedicated room and open up my quarantine encolsures for the next. Works out nicely.

This tub system is strictly for my potential WC (provided I'm successful in my endeavor and locate what I'm looking for); and will probably never be used again. This will be set up in yet another room (Spare BR). With that you're statement above would hold true. I'd be obtaining and treating all of them at one time. When this is all said and done the spare BR will become my primary quarantine area again.