Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been wanting to build a hatchling rack that I can keep my young ones in over the winter. My wife and I were at Home Depot about three weeks ago and I saw this C20 shelf with A50 precut shelves. I used my boxes as a template and just built it from the bottom up screwing the shelves in place as I added each level. I prefer not to use lids. Only the top shelf has lids but they still slide in with a snug fit. The boxes were extra. I bought them at the local discount store cheap. I'll use heating pads on the back during winter.

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Vichris

Vichris Variables

WOW, Thats a really NICE set up.

Did you have to drill your own holes in the back? If so why didn't you leave the last shelve on the bottom as the one you would have to use lids for?

I screwed them in on the sides. There's no back on the rack (excpect on the top shelf) and I prefer it that way. Thats where my heat source will come from. The shelf comes with a bunch of holes drilled in the sides on the inside. Its built that way so that you can adjust the width of the shelves. I just drilled from the outside of the shelves and bypassed their setup. I don't need or want adjustable shelves.

Because I used the boxes as a template I had to build it from the bottom up. I would recommend doing it that way too. When you place the shelf on top of the boxes you can adjust the amount of pressure you want so that the boxes slide in and out easily but don't leave any gaps the snakes can escape from.

You will notice that the second shelf from the top sticks out the same amount the top does. There is a four inch back on the top to add stability.

BTW thanks for the compliment bluerosy.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

Chris, in that middle pic with the container pulled out, what type of substrate is that? Thanks.

Steve

This is my 14th year using plain old pine shavings. I know some here don't like them but I've had excellent results with them.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

Thanks Chris. I usually use very fine shredded aspen whenever I can find the type/brand I'm looking for, but I've been tempted to use pine since it's usually more available (and cheaper). Hard to argue with 14 years of sucess.

Steve

I tried aspen bedding for a while on a few of my snakes too. Email me and I'll get you some particulars on why I use pine shavings.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

I'll send you an email later this evening.

Steve

I use pine and all my snakes (adult and babies)are doing fine.
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1.2 Albino Sonoran Gopher,
2.3 W.C Okeetee Corn,
1.1 Abbt line Okeetee Corn,
1.2 W.C Miami Phase Corn
1.1 Sinaloan Milk,
1.0 Orange Pueblian Milk,
1.1 W.C Mexican Black King
1.0 W.C Cal King,
0.1 Durango Mountain King
1.0 Desert King,
1.2 Bearded Dragon
45 Tanks full with African Cichlids.
Many Mice, Rats and feeder Roaches

Nice Rack! You have some of the nicest Thayeri. What is the bowl with the lid on it and a hole? Is that water or a hide? I went to your site, but I could not find any prices. Nice job with the rack. Derek

The bowl is a small icecream cup container. I always make my waterbowls that way. I use a Coolwhip size bowl for my adult snakes and a small butter type bowl for my juvies. The reason I make a hole like that in the lid of the bowl is so the snakes cannot dump the water over. It also prevents them from dragging a bunch of substrate into the water too. Also the lids serves as a convenient place to feed the snakes. I just put my thawed mouse on the lid next to the hole. All of my snakes know the drill.

BTW I emailed you about the pricing question. Thanks for the kind words.

Here's a pic of one of my adults with the larger water bowl

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Vichris

Vichris Variables

Nice rack!I just drew up plans for building my own.When finished it will hold 40 2.8L containers mostly for hatchling corn and rat snakes.

Shhhhhhhhh. Hunting/hunter is a bad word on this forum. LOL

I've used that term (nice rack) in another way too.

I wish you luck on that new rack. I'll probably need to build another one too in the next couple of years. This one was by far the easiest rack I've ever built.

Good luck too doing whatever your going to do in the woods this fall while carrying a weapon.

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Vichris

Vichris Variables