Need input from all of you with racks. I just came from a site Exotic Nature.com and they have step by step instrucions on a rack. These racks are the same style as freedom breeder they are framed not enclosed and have screen top. what do you all think of this type of cage over the regular racks like malamine and the plastics which totally enclose the tubs? What are the pros and cons? The reason I ask is because with these instructions this rack is easy to make but at the same time my snakes are in a basement room heated by portable heater, in the winter this room can get as low as 60 even with the heater. Im wondering if the open style rack can hold in heat
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racks for ball pythons
bigdee
Apr 16, 2004 01:13 AM
Replies (2)
mariasman
Apr 16, 2004 03:42 AM
Good thing you posted. Go to this link. I made one similar to this but I extended the sides all the way to the front in order to hold heat better. I also placed a hinged door on the front that is covered with solar screening (this gives the guys more security- works very well). I also have 14 compartments rather than just 10 (I use the top one for storage).
In a 70F room the temp gradiant is as follows: high 80's in the back, mid 80's in the middle, high 70's to low 80's in in the front. I set the probe of a helix at the base of the second to the lowest tub about 3 inches from the back and keep the helix at 85F (the bottom tub and the top tub is not heated as I keep black milk snakes in them -- the rest have ball pythons) . If the snake gets right at the back of the tub against the end, she can just reach a body temperature of 90F.
I LOVE MY NEW RACK!!! It's highly functional (and it looks good too!) If you want to see pics, then email me and I'll send some out to you.
http://www.ballpython.ca/The Rack.htm
sapphire_snake
Apr 16, 2004 05:43 AM
I personaly would never use a "short" cage that has a screen top. It has more of a chance of letting them rub their noses. And I doubt that it would hold in heat very well.
When you build your rack try to insulate the back (maybe even the sides?) with mylar, its kind of like the aluminum foil looking blanket in camping (like at wal-mart) it will "Reflect" the heat.
And unless you are cooling the snakes BP's need to have a "hot" spot of atleast 90-95 and a cool side of 80-85.
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 1.0 western hognose
