mesh cages, are they better than aquariums

tony_welch · 01-24-05, 09:53 PM

i am just getting my first ball python, and i am in a crisis. i am not sure whether to get a mesh cage or an aqaurium. the mesh cage is bigger but i am not sure that the humidity will stay level as well as it would in an aquarium. i know that an aquarium is good for humidty and temperature, but i also want it to be able to move and climb. so to sum this post up, which is better mesh cage, or aquarium. any advice will be helpful, and greatly appriciated

Tim_Cranwill · 01-24-05, 10:03 PM

To tell you the truth, neither is good. A mesh cage is actually a <b>bad</b> idea though. Yikes!

Go to Wal-Mart and pick up a Rubbermaid bin. They hold humidity VERY well (not that ball pythons need super high humidity). Set it up like this: http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/faq6.html

Read through the threads in this forum. There is a lot of good info here. Read a BUNCH of care sheets as well BEFORE you buy the snake.

Good luck!

Bartman · 01-24-05, 10:08 PM

I agree with Tim, rubbermaids are the way to go. They may not look as good as aquariums but they are much better for the snakes health.

dudsky · 01-24-05, 10:26 PM

Agreed, but if the choice is only between mesh and glass,if u need it for display or smth, go with glass 100%, mesh cages are not good for snakes at all... and glass tanks work well with snakes imo...

Igor

tony_welch · 01-24-05, 10:35 PM

i apriciate you all helping me, i am gonna get a 55 gallon aquarium is that a good choice for a ball python. we already have a 55 gallon tank so i am jus gonna take it instead of buying something new. is that a smart choice?

Tim_Cranwill · 01-24-05, 10:38 PM

Is that a smart choice?

Not really... it's a smart choice for YOU but not so smart for the snake. And if you get a baby ball and house it in that HUGE tank, good luck getting it to eat.

Bartman · 01-24-05, 10:39 PM

It will work, of course, but is not perferred by most people...especially people on these forums

I personally found that the bp's kept in rubbermaids fed better, shed better (as humidity is higher) and all around they seemed to be healthier.

If you are dead set on using the aquarium, I would suggest cover the top of the screen lid with plexi glass cut to about 3/4 of the tank, in order to keep in more moisture. I would also put lots of hides so the snake feels more secure. I will tell you know though, the snake is going to use one square foot of that enclosure, if even

These snakes are very shy and stay hidden most the time.

Good luck with your python!

Tim and Julie B · 01-24-05, 10:44 PM

Mesh tanks aren't always bad for snakes. I have kept a lot of species of N. American ratsnakes in them with great success. Besides you can't buy rubbermaids 6 ft tall. You just have to keep it in a well heated area. For me it was in the reptile room. So it might not be practical for you as other cages would be easier to heat. For a ball python a rubbermaid is truely the best way to go, a 55 gal is pretty big. Remember that if you use it you have to have a good lid.

tony_welch · 01-24-05, 10:45 PM

should i start it out in a small rubberamid container until it gets older and bigger and then transfer itto the aquarium?
i can see you all hate the aquarium idea and i understand that, but is there a rubbermaid conainer big enough for a python.
do you think that if i covered the top of the aquarium with a plexi-glass pull up lid, that it will hold in enough moiture?

Bartman · 01-24-05, 11:26 PM

I know a lot of breeders use the 26.4 L rubbermaids.

I use them and they are working great in my rack

Slannesh · 01-24-05, 11:55 PM

Not everyone hates aquariums around here

Though rubbermaids/sterilites ARE easier to set up and maintain the proper humidity conditions.

I never had any trouble keeping the temp where it should be in an aquarium but did have issues with humidity which i've overcome by using a humid hide.

A 55 gal is too big for a very young ball, but you can help that by adding several small hides, the important thing is that the snake feels secure.

That being said, I recently moved my ball to a rubbermaid (well a sterilite actually) as well to free up the aquarium I was using for my new bearded dragon. At the end of the day it's really all about how much effort you're willing to put into it for a snake that you're almost never going to see outside of it's hides anyway

ATBlover · 02-12-05, 06:04 PM

my bp goes everywhere at night...their not lazy and boring snakes...their actually fun..i have my pair of balls in a 33 gallon tank and their perfect...never had any problems with them and they never refused a meal..i know you say rubbermaids are better but if you want it to look nice then i think you should use a tank....also..if you decorate the 55 gallon with alot of leaves and a few different hides then it would probably be fine...also the bigger the better...if its not an open space...Connor

ABrose · 02-13-05, 01:46 AM

I'm planning on putting a divider in the middle of a 55g aquarium and house two young corns. Do the issues brought up in this thread apply to corn snakes aswell, or just to ball pythons?

ATBlover · 02-13-05, 01:25 PM

no cornsdont need as much humidity but that may be a little big for a baby corn....Connor