Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I had previously posted this message in the "Housing" section, but it seems a bit dead there, so here goes.
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I am currently in the process of building a naturalistic enclosure for my one of my bps. I was wanting to create a sort of underground hide...I was thinking I would create some sort of a cave type thing to keep the dirt from caving in on him, having it large enough of course, and placing in a corner of his 40 gal breeder tank so I could see him from the side when he was hiding. I was just looking for everyone's opinions on whether he would even utilize such a hide, if it would still provide him enough security, and just other thoughts!
Thank you for your time,
Nicole Corder.

I've considered doing that for a long time but can't seem to motivate myself LOL. I certainly think they will use it. In the wild they use burrows of other animals, and the above ground hide we use now is just a substitute for that. It would actually make for a little more floor space also

Quig

If you have the room in your cage to add an extra hide, I don't see why you shouldn't give it a try. The worst that can happen is that you spend a little time creating something and your snake doesn't use it. Is that really such a bad outcome?

I've read articles where very respected breeders said that one or another kind of hide was a silly idea and would never be used. My ball python uses her hide of that kind. While you might not find anyone who's ever had success with this idea, your snake might like it.

Admittedly, I'm not an experienced herper. I've had one snake for three months. I'm only saying that I see nothing to lose in pursuing your idea.

Good luck,

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

I think this is a great idea. I think you ball will love it and think of it as his (her) perfect home. I think it will be so perfect that you will have a hard time cleaning it if it is truly 'buried', because mine just loves to defacate in his hide. It's his favorite place.

I am really not spacially inclined, so if you have a brilliant plan to make it both 'underground' and easily accessible to you, i say go for it and would love to see pictures. I am all for more naturalistic, enriching environments for snakes.

It could work but would be a pain to clean poop down there. If on the side of the cage, where you could see him in the hide, you had an access door installed it would solve that problem, but since it is a glass tank it would be difficult. Never tried this but a glass cutter might make a decent sized hole you would just have to devise an access door to cover the hole and apply silicone over the cut edges to keep from injuring you or the snake...might work...good luck.