Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was lucky enough to get my hands on three Applegate-style drawer cages recently. Each cage is a double and heated by a low wattage light bulb. The light covers are mason jars, which is kinda cool. Highly recommend these cages for anyone with access to them.

Let's check one of those drawers shall we?

Good luck with them. I have gotten quotes from some of the more well known cage builders over the last few years to do something like that. Hope it works out well for you. Very old school method. I have been considering a set up similar to this I saved to favorites a few years ago.Thought I might try using the black Carlilse bus boxes instead to give them the choice of cool and dark.

>>Good luck with them. I have gotten quotes from some of the more well known cage builders over the last few years to do something like that. Hope it works out well for you. Very old school method. I have been considering a set up similar to this I saved to favorites a few years ago.Thought I might try using the black Carlilse bus boxes instead to give them the choice of cool and dark.
>>

With Applegate Enclosures there are cool/dark/humid, hot/dark/humid, cool/dark/dry, hot/dark/dry, cool/bright and hot/bright spots along with everything in between........

I've never had Mexicana or Pyromelana have such a great feeding response.........Cleaning and feeding is a breeze too.....They feed on the dry side then defecate there as well.....Females will lay their eggs on the humid/wet side.....I mist the moss once a week and replace the paper towel on the dry side......

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

Hey I think one of your snakes is escaping in that bottom picture! If you hurry you might be able to catch it......gotta love those cages!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

It looks like you have provided LOTS of choices!

[bleep]in' snake room Jon.

I'm also using these cages for some young Woma pythons and a pair of Childrens pythons, and they're loving it too. The versatility of these cages is undeniable.

Not ever having used the setup my self( seen pics over the years of Applegates), Could you break down how you achieve all the choices you are talking about?

Just looking at the pic I can't quite see what you mean. All the posts over the last years of FR and folks advocating choices and being able to have many options in a cage has intrigued me.

Thanks,
Bob.

>>Not ever having used the setup my self( seen pics over the years of Applegates), Could you break down how you achieve all the choices you are talking about?
>>
>>Just looking at the pic I can't quite see what you mean. All the posts over the last years of FR and folks advocating choices and being able to have many options in a cage has intrigued me.

Okay....
Behind all the drawers there is a heat cable.....The temps reach 90F in the back of the drawers (back heat) and in the back of the Upper Level (belly heat)....My snake room in air conditioned to stay around 72F sometimes aorund 70F.......
In the right drawer (underground) there is damp moss.....In this drawer there is darkness, humidity, heat in the back and cool in the front.....Females lay eggs here and much of the day light hours are spent here.....
In the left drawer there is a paper towel. It is dark there. It is dry there, hot in the back and cool in the front.......I feed in this drawer and they usually defecate in this drawer.....

Above ground there is light.....It is dry, but a water bowl is offered here (I rarely see them drink anymore).....It is hot in the back and cool in the front near the glass, except during the day time when it is dry and hot above ground due to the light. I use a 15 watt bulb protected by a mason jar......Above the light is a mirror that reflects light and heat to the above ground surface.....The lights are on a timer to match the daylight hours outside....the heat is constant........There is a screen in the back to maintain air flow (something I added) as well as Plastic tubs in the drawer to help with mold, but I coated them with toxic free water sealant......

When the lights go off and the snakes emerge they tell me they are "hunting" for either a mate this time of year, water or food.....I offer them food when they emerge....if they are full they will not emerge...They will set where they know they can digest their meal and "absorb" moisture........

With this I have seen the best feeding response of any Mexicana I have ever kept.......I have had them reach adult size within an 18 month period and breed successfully...... I have yet to try hatchlings in these set ups but the yearlings thrive in them through adult hood.......

I also have a rack system that I have implemented all that an Applegate Enclosure provides....and I have a nice little invention in the works that a few know about.....I haven't come public with it yet, but soon I will......

I hope this helped....I am by no means an expert and I have taken snake keeping to the next level using someone else's design along with a few of my own improvements.......I have seen great results and will continue to use these as long as I keep snakes along with the "invention" I have in the works.......
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

I appreciate it. I recall you saying about incorporating this stuff in Racks too. Cool. I'm not to good with the wood working skills myself so I think if I implement one of Franks type of many choices things I'll probably have to go with something like (3) 4'x2' boaphile type cages with maybe the bottom one being opaque and the coolest.

It's nice to see it panning out well in the ease of maintenance dept too!

Thanks

Shoot me an email when you can......
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

Thanks John. I would like that. Have a good night.