Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I also posted this exact same message on the cornsnake forum the other day.
I was cusious on what different items everyone uses for snake hides. I've used everything from ceral boxes to clay pots, to cork bark. What I like to use in each setup at the present time are dog or cat bowls on the cool side. I use the ones that are dual purpose hide and water source. And yes, I have had a clerk ask me how many dogs/cats I have when I've had about eight various sized bowls in the checkout counter.
On my warm side I pretty much use clay pots. I have access to an almost unlimited supply of those things for dirt cheap. I'm sure if any my fellow Virginia forum members on here live near Williamsburg, Va. they know about "The Pottery".
Here's a pic of varous sizes and shaped pots, as well as two differnt sized water bowls. I use a masonary drill bit on the clay pots if I need to create a hole, or expand the size of an existing one. Thought it would be interesting to see the different items everyone uses.
Steve

I use almost exclusively the dog bowls like in your pic. Small for hatchling and such and the large for the bigger snakes.
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www.Wood-N-Snakes.com

Funny you should mention that Steve. I am talking to AP about a shallower version of their hideboxes for my snakes. I didn't realize , but they are a complete box with a bottom and a removable lid. They are willing to move the hole to a side for me and everything for only around $11.00 each!I've used a lot of things too. I got tired early on when those lite little black "caves" would get pushed all over the place on a newspaper sub. The APs look heavy and should stay in place and are nontoxic material like their racks/cages and I would think the snakes would feel more secure in a solid black container the won't move around plus I can add a Deli cup with damp sphagnum and remove the whole thing with the snake inside during cleaning to minimize stress.I'll post pics when I get them. Very good post.Thanks,
Bob

One of my display setups using a clay pot and large water bowl. As you can see, my emoryi ratsnake in her typical "rodent wrecking mode"

Steve

Here's a typical setting in one of my display setups. As you can see, my emoryi ratsnake is in her typical "rodent wrecking mode"

.

I use the clay dishes for the pots, like you have in your pic. I also use a masonry bit to make the hole, then sand it smooth. I have collected my own bark that I use for hides, and also use those plastic water dishes for my younger snakes. These are all much cheaper, and I believe better than store bought caves and such.

My big kingsnake has an artificial hollow tree that he absolutely loves. That and he likes to hide under his water dish.

My two juvenile males, which are currently housed together (have been since they were hatchlings) have a broken piece of pottery, and also hide under their water dishes (they are in the biggest cage floorspace wise - and have two water dishes).

My little juvenile girl has a couple rocks and an artificial cave like thingy.

My big albino female hasn't arrived yet, but she's got a big piece of broken pottery and a water dish.

I've found that my kings like to dig holes under a water dish for a hide if their substrate allows it - I guess it also serves as a humidity chamber, because when they are getting ready to shed, that's often where they are. I use coconut fiber substrate, and they like it to dig burrows in it when it is damp. Water dish makes an excellent object to burrow under. It requires a decent depth of substrate, but it's not expensive.
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3.0 WC; 0.2 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

2-3"s of fluffy pine shavings gives my snakes all the security they need. Sometimes they completly bury themselves in it and when i toss in a live one then they come flying out of it and chase it down, they seem to enjoy doin' it too. Ah, the thrill of the ambush.

I use the pot saucers and the water bowls like you. I also use cork flats in many of my cages. If you have a cage with a deep fluffy substrate I even just use a plywood board (like how I usually find them in the "wild"

the only thing I don't like are the actual flower pots. I don't find that the snakes benefit from the hight at all. And if given the choice they will ALWAYS choose a lower profile shelter.

cheers

I don't use hides.

There is really no need for it for my collection as 95% of my snakes will happily hide under newspaper.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake
Updated 7/29!!!
www.captivebredforum.com

for hatchlings, I use part of the styrofoam tray that my frozen rodents were packaged on.
for adults, I use half of a cereal box.
for large snakes like my indigos, I use a large shoe/boot box with a hole cut in the top.

I use aspen for bedding, so I just toss these "hides" on top of the aspen and they readily hide under them. Once they get pooped on I just toss them out. Simple and cheap, and I never have to scrub poop off of the hide.
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Paul Weaver
Carolina Herps

I like the cardboard boxes too.

For hatchlings, the small boxes that jewelry stores have are perfect. Since the lids overlap the sides, i can cut the access hole in such a way that by reversing the lid, the snake can't get out!

John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"

Okay--I'm a visual learner. Please explain about the cutting of the hole so that the snakes can't get out when the lid is reversed. I'm having trouble visualizing this--and I have several of those type of boxes in my "potential hide box" stash.

Thanks!
althea

In addition to corkbark, clay pot planters, and pieces of bark. I have found that little PVC pieces are great. They come in any size you could want and are very easy to clean. Another good aspect of them, you can bury them in the substrate with one end exposed this works great with burrowing species & seems to give them a sense of security that has helped problem feeders take off for me. Also when cleaning cages you can lift out the PVC with the animal inside and they will usually stay neatly tucked inside while you change substrate or spot clean.

B

I use various hides. I use the flower pot bases, Store bought hides, and I've made some. Derek

cost is very low comes in any shape or size and cleans up nice because there are no corners for popo and germs to hide in. but my kings hang out on top of them. i like to pack it with mose or paper towels and they will root around and find a fuzzy spot to hide

Toilet tissue and paper towel tubes are great for small snakes. Cardboard boxes of different sizes depending upon the size of the animal work well. Some of my animals like margerine tubs with aspen inside and a hole in the lid.

I also use margerine or cool whip type tubs for water. Filled halfway, they don't spill or increase the humidity much since they have a lid with a small opening. My snakes actually soak in them without getting water all over the enclosure. I like the convenience of when they are soiled; I can toss and replace them with ease.

rgds,
althea