Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

This is my first time on this particular forum. I've posted on some others.

I've had plenty of corn snakes and the like in my life. I recently picked up two juvenile yellow rat snakes and I think I'm in love! They are just the coolest snakes I've ever had. I'm thinking of getting a pair of Everglades rats next.

My question is this. I'm thinking about buying a rack system (AP model 1960/1860 with 41 qt sterilite tubs. Is a 41 qt tub adequate size for adult yellow rats and glades?

Any advice/experience with rack systems and rat snakes I would greatly appreciate. Thank you!

I'm far from the most experienced here but I can offer some perspective from my limited experience which I do believe should be worthwhile.

I started out a few years back with the intent of keeping naturalistic setups for display and so the animals could "see" out more and have more visual interactiion with their environment.

By and by the natural setups shifted more toward cardboard and stuff that was easier to clean or discard.

Certain snakes seemed to definitely prefer the dark (especially milks) and almost never came out of their hides. I decided those would be better off in tubs, and so they were.

Then I realized that tubs offered more security to most of the snakes and that cleaning was so much easier along with the savings in shelf and floor space.

Now more than half my snakes are in a rack and most of the rest will follow as soon as I get another.

I'll still keep a few display cages for some that seem to enjoy it but for most snakes, I think racks in general make for healthier, cleaner, more secure and happier animals as well as make that whole keeper experience more easier - especially if you have more than just a few snakes.
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

...I do favor getting the snakes out as much as reasonable to allow them some stimulation. I think it's likely that handling and some outdoor time for tame snakes, when done appropriately, is important for their well being. I have no way of knowing that, but if nothing else, it makes me feel better.
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

I keep most of my snakes, most of which are various species of rat snakes, in tub racks and they do well in them. I agree with everything Brad said about the privacy they offer being beneficial to many species.

On tub size - I keep snakes up to about 4 - 4.5 feet long in 41 qt tubs which have a footprint of ~34" x 16", and have kept larger snakes in cages with a footprint of 36" x 24" or 36" x 28". I will be building a rack for larger snakes soon, which will hold 74 qt Sterilite tubs with a footprint of 44" x 20". I think a full grown obsoletus would do well in a tub this size.
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

There is at least one cage /rack builder who makes racks for the Sterilite 74 qt tubs. Look around in the "cages" classifieds here, and you will probably see them.

I started building my own racks years ago and have not stopped - been a learning process, but there are a lot of experienced folks around the forums here who can help you now. It is much cheaper, and more rewarding (to me, anyway) building your own rack.
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research