John,

Please believe me when i say that I wasn't trying to discredit you, belittle your thoughts/suggestions or question your experience. I'm sorry if you took offense to anything I wrote because I honestly meant no offense.



Thus the beauty of forums - Various ideas can be offered, described and then considered by everyone reading so that they can come up with their own conclusions instead of blindly following anyone. I usually suggest that people not just take my word for things but do their own research and come to their own conclusions. There are so many different ways of doing so many different things and basically achieving the same outcome.



I didn't dawg you out about your comment on covering a snake's head, I simply stated "I don't think covering the head of an animal that you are trying to win the confidence of is the right approach. It may very well work sometimes but I think it's counterproductive." I didn't state my thoughts as facts and even mentioned "It may very well work sometimes..."



As far as reading, interpreting, an animal's behavior (actions,reactions) it's pretty much the same technique used across the board in the animal kingdom. Dogs, cats, horses, lizards, snakes, rats, etc... Yes, some species are harder than others but continuous efforts usually pay off. So don't sell yourself short.



In all my years of reptile and animal keeping & breeding, the Dumeril's boa that was given to me a few years ago was probably my biggest challenge - and that was largely due to me letting it's looks distract me & question myself. Once I got over that it was all down hill.



Getting a bit off topic, let me address your comment, "Then again, I don't keep my snakes in all glass aquariums with screen tops and heat lamps from above and don't advocate doing so.



Not meaning to be offensive, by any means, but in an effort to be realistic - just about everyone I know, including myself, started out this way. Very few people can afford commercial-built cages for their first herp. Very few people have the tools & ability to build their own cages when first getting into herps. We all know that the animal is most always, by far, the cheapest part of the investment.



I try to encourage those with tanks & screen tops to work on bettering their setup. We all know that such setups can be detrimental to the captive's health. An appropriate size aquarium can be modified fairly easily to provide the temperatures, humidity & heat source needed.



I build my own cages & racks. I also still have a few tanks with modified tops and overhead heat source that work flawlessly that I use from time to time. I've personally seen commercial cages that couldn't steadily maintain environmental factors half as good as some of my modified tanks.



Persoanlly, I'd prefer to see everyone make their own cages out of quality material. But this takes money to buy the tools & materials, time to build it, and needed space to build it within. Sometimes we have to make do with what we've got or what we can afford, though. As forum participants, it's up to us to try to encourage others to ensure that their captives' needs are being met the best way possible at the moment.



Modify that tank if you need to, but be putting back money to buy a commercial cage or to build your own ASAP.



[url]http://natures-signature.com/diy/55gal_top_sideview.jpg



i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh98/Natures-Signature/Construction/cage2_02.jpg



The light bulb in the 2nd cage was just for taking photos. I use two CHE's with guards for heat but want to switch to the radiant heat panels one of these days.



Ya;ll take care!

HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,

this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:

Appalachian American





www.natures-signature.com

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