Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im thinking of using a rubbermaid or sterlite container for my next snake(either corn,milk or king). I have priced out the different sterlite bins at walmart and the ones i want have a clamp on each end(I will start out with small one for young snake and move up). But it seems even with the latch on each end that a snake would be able to lift up somewhere in the middle and escape. How do most people home remedy this? any easy way to do this(im am not handy at all, so maybe detailed pics if possible). im sure it wont be an issue with the hatchling and a smaller tub, but it looks like the bigger the tub, the more play the middle of the top has. I have decided to try the tub route because I currently use a 20 gallon long glass tank for my current corn and king(two tanks of course) but it seems a pain to keep the temps and humidty where I want it, and quite frankly, glass tanks start to get expensive as the hobby grows. I will also use a uth with the tub, and perhaps stick the uth to a piece of glass and set under the tub, this way, when the snake moves to a bigger tube, I can reuse the same uth..thanks for the info, pete

The containers with the clamps on each end are the best when you are using it as you described.

I currently keep an adult Nelson's milksnake in a Sterilite tub measuring about 29" long by about 14" wide. This is the snake's temporary home but is large enough to be a permanent cage. There is a bit of lid play in the middle as you stated.

I used two clamps that are sold at office supply stores, similar to the clips on top of clip boards. One of those on each side where the lid play is greatest holds the lid down quite well. No escapes thus far, and you know how wiley milksnakes can be.

And of course, a telephone book on top of the lid works too.
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Mark

I use those binder clips alot on enclosures too that have an appropriate lip on the top of the enclosure, sometimes I even modify the plastic edges where the clip will be so they fit much better too. The different sized clips work great for different sized containers.

~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Good tip Doug. That is exactly how I secure the lids to mine if I remove them from the rack. The snakes that turn off for winter first get removed and the top secured in the same fashion, then its off to the cool room they go. When all the others have joined in the non feeding party, I move the rack to the cool room and put all the tubs back into it without the lids.

Yeah Joe, that sounds like a good working method bro! Those clips are so strong it's ridiculous too..LOL!

Zero chance of escape that way!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

do those clips stay put? That's a great idea if they don't slip off.

Amy C.
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Amy Claiborne

'A government big enough to give you everything...is a government big enough to take it all away.'

How about not worrying about a lid and building a small lidless rack system........
These adjustable ones work nice and will adjust to a larger tub as your snake grows......
Just an idea you may consider since a snake cannot push the lids off these tubs.....



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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

These are great for smaller snakes

Sterlite 1963
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wake me when its april

Doug L