Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I’m not sure if this counts for this forum, but thought I’d share this here.
I found this plastic box made by Plano and thought it would be a great transport box for small venomous (or not) snakes.
Here’s a picture of what it is suppose to be used for

I cut the inside shelf so I could install the acrylic window with a simple handle

Close up of the handle- note nuts glued to stay put...

It has a place to hold the packing slip, or some documentation as to the contents of the box,

and a place for a lock

I drilled a bunch of air holes all around the shelf inside, and in the lid.
Now if the snake escaped the bag inside, no surprises!

I bought a hot transport box made of plywood and screen for $40.00, but this only cost about $25.00 including
the acrylic and handle. I really think this is a better box.

I'll check with the state when I get my inspection and ask what they think of this box and let you know.
Ciao!

I don't keep venomous any more but all of my tool boxes are modified almost exactly like that to transport venomous. Whenever a neighbor needs to borrow a tool I try to avoid having them see the setup as to avoid answering a lot of questions.

One tip I have is to find a plastic sofit vent and to rivet it to the inside of the box backwards. It can take a lot of searching to find the right vent that will work. Then have all of your ventilation holes drilled through the box in that area. This provides a double layer of protection in the areas that a freak accident could occur where a viper struck through the bag and through a ventilation hole.

Another think that works is recessed screen sink drain covers. This is what I used. I used to find them at an Asian store where I used to live. They were about a buck each and very useful. I also riveted them to the insides of tree viper cages and then drill and oversized hole through the outside. This allowed me to put a mist nozzle from my garden spray inside of the cage for misting the snakes. Only safe way to have a hole that large in a venomous cage.

Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Now that is slick, if I ever keep hots I'll definitely be copying your idea.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

I love it. Great job.
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Mark

I had my facility inspection yesterday and discussed this box with FWC officers.
It did not pass as an acceptable transport box.
The hinge on the box is plastic, without a metal pivot rod, and therefore not considered sturdy enough in their opinion. Also, if you lock the box and then pull up on one of the corners of the box, you can distort it, bend it, enough to get a gap in the lid.
They were very thorough and professional. They liked the idea of it, but, oh well- back to the drawing board! This is Florida, by the way, and while it may be different where you live, it is always better to err on the side of safety, so I would not build or use a box like this knowing it is not acceptable here. Or figure ways of improving these design flaws, a stiffer lid, etc.

Bummer, sorry to hear this.

One of my venomous transport tool boxes is made of structural foam, basically the same stuff that the grayish-black Rubbermaid stock tanks are made from. I'm pretty sure it has metal hinges and the lid is also very rigid. I think you could make some sort of grid system for the lid that would make it even more rigid.

The box is very old and one of the first I purchased for such use. I can check the hinges if you want but I think you'll still need to go see what is used on similar products today.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.