Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is one of those "for what it's worth" posts.
A few years ago in my snake shed, I put in a "feeding branch" that is suspended from the ceiling, a reasonable distance from other cages, etc.
Since we're talking Rat Snakes here, this allows me to feed an animal, or just temporarily hold it, while I work on cages or such around the room.
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Regards, Bill McGighan

Bill,

Tell me more about the brown-ish/red looking cages at the bottom left hand corner of the bottom picture. Are they sinks?

I like the feeding tree. I may try that with my Gonyosoma.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Chris and Mike, I bought those little brown cages in the early ‘80s from a guy who manufactured and sold them in Washington State. I tried to contact him through several channels today to see if he still sells them; no luck so far with phone or website.
I really like them for snakes less than 36". They are only about 12 inches wide and 10 inches deep, but they are double leveled.
It gives the animal the feeling of being down in a burrow and they ambush a mouse that enters the hole.
I use them for the only non-NA Rats that I keep: Gray-banded Kings and Mexican Milks.
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Here’s a frontal:
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Top and Bottom (Photo scanned from manufacturer’s picture):
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Here’s a cutaway to see how they are constructed and see the water bowl holder (Photo scanned from manufacturer’s picture):
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I use them for the only non-NA Rats that I keep: Gray-banded Kings and Mexican Milks.
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Regards, Bill McGighan

Bill,

Those are nice little cages! I can imagine how fossorial small snakes would like them. I like the room setup and the branch, too. Nice feeding shots too, btw.

-Toby Brock
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The Ratsnake Foundation

Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Thanks, Toby,
A controlled heat strip under the cage gives quite a temp range of choices in the cage.
When its egg laying time, I just replace the lower level aspen with Sphagnum Moss.
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Regards, Bill McGighan

Bill,

Very intelligent design on those cages. I can imagine that the lower level makes a good egg laying area, or even just a good area for a moist hide. Were you ever able to track down the cage builder? I can imagine emoryi, or at least the southern form, meahllmorum, doing well in a setup like that, only somewhat bigger.

-Toby Brock
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The Ratsnake Foundation

Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

I think it's pretty cool.I am in the middle making a reptile room in my basement and had thought something like that would be nice.I would think beeing rat snakes they would stay on it pretty well,under keeper supervision of course.
I also wanted to ask about the reddish looking cages in the second pic then I read chris's post.Different.
By the way.You got some great looking rat snakes.Give me a run down of your current inventory.
Oh,and how bout more shots of inside that shed?
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"Upon Thy Belly Thou Shalt Go"

Beautiful snakes. And a cool idea.

Thanks.
It's not for everyone, but it works for me.
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Regards, Bill McGighan

Hey Mike,
Making a room or shed just for the hobby is really fun, because you get to set things up the way you always wanted them, to the limitation of your money and resources.
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The tree can be smaller that mine, but should feel supportive to them. Most Rats, and even kings, will hang on without climbing down or dropping for an hour or so, so, yeah, they you need to keep an eye on them.
With mine, if I walk off and forget, they can't escape the shed.
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See my response to Chris and you on the little cages.
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Finally, don't hesitate to email me through KS if you want to discuss room issues. I'll gladly share successes and failures.
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Regards, Bill McGighan

How many times have you wonked your head on that thing, Bill??

Once or twice, Dan, but usually only when I'm in a panic over something, like dropping a water bowl. Actually you get pretty used to it.
I was thinking you could do the same with Uromastyx, but with a rope and cloths Pins!

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Regards, Bill McGighan

I'm thinking...not alot but, I'm thinking...Ropes, clothes pins... Yep, that tree womped you real good!! Just like I thought it did. Seriously, you got me inspired to come up with an OUTSIDE feedin' tree!
D&L

That is a great idea, Bill! Very inventive and I bet the rats "enjoy" using it!
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Todd Hughes