Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw this brought up again, and I'm curious why is it that everyone automatically assums that glass aquarium = lazy keeper or someone not willing to properly cage animals...

I'll admit I have some animals in aquariums. These animals are in aquariums that are in my hot room and not where others are allowed. I've heard some argue that they aren't secure, but I can actually pick up my aquariums by their lids and not have any problem. Some people say they are easy to knock over etc, but you'll be hard pressed to find a cage that is 100% safe when dropped, and even at that Karl Betz has demonstrated a safe, secure, and lockable modification to small aquariums that have withstood test drops!

I have animals in everything from rubbermaid plastic cookie jars (PERFECT for baby arboreals, screw on lid, and not likely at all to break etc), rubbermaid containers, custom wooden cages, neodesha cages, and aquariums.

The few snakes that I keep in aquariums (3 in all at home, and 5 in the lab) are completely secure, meet the husbandry requirements of the animals, and are safe.

Not trying to stir things up, I just want to see some proof other than someone saying "aquariums aren't safe."

Comming from an unbiased non-ven keeper..... If you have the proper "hot room" and can keep the aquarium at proper temps and humidity levels then I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping them in glass aquariums.

Jason

The cage, whether its made of glass, plastic, wood, etc is simply the shell and as long as it's secured properly, then it really doesn't matter (and like you said, if its in a properly secured hot room, even better...and, actually, the only way this should be done). The problem is that most people who keep hots in glass tanks do it in a very irresponsible manner (flimsy screen lid with bricks at each corner)...that's an all too common thing I see in my line of work which is why I typically don't recommend glass tanks. I have seen some where people custom made some great tops that nothing could get out....and, these were tanks with 1/4" tempered glass.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Comming from an unbiased non-ven keeper..... If you have the proper "hot room" and can keep the aquarium at proper temps and humidity levels then I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping them in glass aquariums.
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>>Jason
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

A GOOD aquarium with a secure top is probably not too bad. The problem (as I see it) is that most aquariums are made of thin cheap glass that breaks easily. I've kept non-venomous in aquariums and had a couple of such accidents. In those cases I was lucky enough just that the snakes weren't injured. I won't even use them for non-venomous anymore. They're just too easy to break.

Good aquariums are not only expensive, but heavy, so why would you bother unless you just happened to have one laying around. Thus the "cheap" comments.

If you have a secure snake room, a cheap plastic container is still a better idea than an aquarium in my opinion (and that's what I use for small snakes).

Problem with a critter cage with a cheap lock on it locked in a herp room...really...nothing, if it works.

I think the entire situation is what was being evaluated. I know of people who use aquariums with screen lids for hots themselves but will freak out at the sight of a one at a show with hots. Why? Because there are people there who walk around and set their hands on anything. Fangs do easily make it through screen tops and its an accident waiting to happen.

It was not so much the thought of an aquarium that raised concern...rather the picture of an aquarium sitting where kids and "serpent civilians" are trafficking.

Zoo's are not keeping them off exhibit simply because of aesthetics. In situations where you can't always control the actions of the people around the animal...you need to go the extra mile.

I had a conversation with Dennis Wasko who is doing his PhD on B. asper and keeps his animals in secured milk crates. The room is very securely locked and the cages sure as heck keep the snakes in. But I asked, " but what about the large openings that a fang could easily pass completely through?" He said, "if you are dumb enough to put your hand there, you deserve your fate." I felt stupid for even bringing it up because obviously it wasn't an issue in a room where the only people in it are studying snakes and know whats in there.

And you would certainly be stupid if you were using a melamine rack for an exhibit.

I'm using one right now to house a pair of oreganus.
I did build my own lids for it though.

Hey Gavin I havn't seen you on in a loong time. Studies keeping you busy?

Ian

No, no studies. I guess you can say I am taking a break from studies.

Right now I am just working for this really cool wildlife center that has a bunch of rattlesnakes.

ah, it's a sweet place to work aint it though, I hope to pass by again this summer... it's such a long drive

Ian

ok,

Bobby, I know you'll faint, but you're right. again.

I like aquariums for some things and here's a setup I've used both at home and in a public display at a serpentarium. a series of tanks were set up behind a wall with cutouts for each tank. The public could see into the tank from one side, and the other three sides were painted black.

I've kept everything from baby kingsnakes to baby mambas in these and nothing has EVER escaped.

http://www.envenomated.com/viewpage.php?page_id=30
http://www.envenomated.com/viewpage.php?page_id=30

..a Janis Joplins song, written by Kris Kristofferson???

Oh wait, never mind!

MH

I took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana..Yeah, never mind.

Danm! Thanks to Matt and Greg, I've been humming that song all day at the zoo!

Randal

LOL! it grows on you, doesn't it!

"Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' on a train..."

I only use them for some smaller sand dwellers as a rule, they work fine and are easy to get into for sifting etc.....but each is secured with a lock and hasp system that I made and of course there is restricted access to that room to begin with.

How about these pictures for safe venomous in aquariums? My hot collection is my pride and joy. I give many tours through my room, and keep it very nice, but I feel locking the aquariums behind glass keeps the screen lid factor from even being a factor. I glue velcro under the aquarium lip to strap the lids down. I never unlock the door when guest are over, and am very careful when it is cage cleaning or feeding time. I have kept venomous like this for 20 years and have never had even a close call at an accident. I can't say that about my Neodeshas. (Although I still have never been bit and never intend to.)

Very nice Bill, looks like a museum

Ian