Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm mainly a ball python keeper so I am familiar with the type of setups for racks to house them. However, with GTPs being arboreal, I was inquiring about the design of a rack system for them. I'm thinking about getting into them and would like to house them in some type of rack system that I could build...for convenience and room.

Does anyone have any ideas, pictures or suggestions of racks they have for GTPs? I appreciate everyone's help.

Thank you
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Michael
KoenigsPythons

I made a very inexpensive rack for some chondros just a couple of weeks ago. The entire rack costs about $35 including the tubs. I'll post pics in the next day or so.....please be patient. Here's a new pic of my Paradox male. Enjoy.

thanks
Brandon

Very nice paradox Brandon, stunningly gorgeous! I look forward to seeing pictures of the rack. Thanks
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Michael
KoenigsPythons

Thanks for the compliments. Here's pic of the rack. Like I said, it was very inexpensive and took about 10 minutes to assemble. All of the boards are availalbe at Lowe's and are pre-cut.

This rack consists of:
2 boards 16" X 36" X 3/4"
3 boards 16" x 24" x 3/4"

You can use pegboard or tile board for the backing, but I just used a couple of small strips of wook across the top to keep the tubs from sliding through. It also keeps the rack stable.

The tubs are Sterlite tubs from Wal-Mart, and I think they are 66 qt. I don't have the stickers anymore, so I'm not sure. They cost $5 ea. They measure approx. 16"w X 22"l X 16"h. So far, the animals that I've kept in this setup have done very well in them for about 6 months......and they are adults. If you need any more info, just let me know.

thanks
Brandon Osborne

Very nice rack there Brandon. That's what I had pictured as my racks are also made of melamine. Thanks for the info and picture. Hopefully sometime soon I'll be getting into GTPs. Thanks again!!

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Michael

Very nice rack there Brandon.

Well Micheal, I'm glad you noticed. lol. Just kidding. I'm not one who thinks high priced commercial caging is justifiable. As mentioned, this rack was very inexpensive and easy to assemble. I've been making my own racks and cages for over 10 years. Even though I'm an experienced carpenter, these racks are a breeze to put together. Have fun with the chondros when you get some. Notice I said SOME.

Take care.
Brandon Osborne

>>Very nice rack there Brandon.
>>
>>Well Micheal, I'm glad you noticed. lol. Just kidding. I'm not one who thinks high priced commercial caging is justifiable. As mentioned, this rack was very inexpensive and easy to assemble. I've been making my own racks and cages for over 10 years. Even though I'm an experienced carpenter, these racks are a breeze to put together. Have fun with the chondros when you get some. Notice I said SOME.
>>
>>Take care.
>>Brandon Osborne

I had a quick question.. do you use heat tape and a helix system for heat for the racks?

- Ray
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3.3 Leopard Geckos
2.0.1 Green Tree Pythons
1.1 Rosy Boas
2.3 Russian Tortoises
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.3 Three Toe Box
0.0.2 Leopard Tortoises
1.0 Malayan Leaf Turtle
1.0 Bearded
0.0.1 Red Foot Tortoise

I have never used a thermostat, heat panels, or any of that fancy stuff. I keep my chondros in the same manner as my kingsnakes are kept........only in an arboreal manner. The rack has no suplimental heat, except for what's coming from the rack below. The rack below has a Kane fiberglass heat mat for housing Ball Pythons. The heat rises up from the back, but it's really insignificant considering what little heat the chondro rack gets.

My adult chondro cages are "heated" with light bulbs. I use standard incandescent bulbs ranging from 7.5 watt to 40 watts max. If you haven't noticed, I produced 2 clutches of chondros this year with no thermostats or heat panels.......and it's not the first time. What works for some may work for others, and what works for some, others may not try. Good luck and do what works best for you.

thanks
Brandon Osborne

Brandon,
I appreciate the information you provided. I like that style of rack. It seems simple yet effecient. I am wanting to get into Green Tree Pythons someday in the future and will probably use that same type of setup to house mine. Again, thank you for the information!
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Michael
KoenigsPythons

Brandon,
I appreciate the information you provided. I like that style of rack. It seems simple yet effecient. I am wanting to get into Green Tree Pythons someday in the future and will probably use that same type of setup to house mine. Again, thank you for the information!
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Michael
KoenigsPython

Michael,

these racks are just that......simple and efficient. Good luck with the future chondros. You'll be glad you got some.

Brandon Osborne

Brandon,

What makes that green tree python Paradox? Just curious as I've seen chondros very similar to that one. How's my favorite biak doing?! You need to get yourself a male/female breed her and sell me a pair!!! I'll just have to do alot of praying from there!

John

John, paradox traits are similar to those of piebaldism. Paradox animals are described as having unusual patches of color, either normal on an abnormal background or abnormal on a normal color. In this case, the more abundant of the two is the abnormal color. This male is mostly blue with large patches of the normal colored green. Check out Damon Salceies' Paradox chondro. It has a very similar appearance. Seeing them inperson, it is much more evident how the colors differentiate. Pictures do not do these animals justice.

As for the Biak......he's doing fine and I'm working on getting a nice 75% yellow female for him. He's gotta be pushin 1000 grams.....and he was only about 400 grams when I got him 12/21/02. Hopefully I'll get him a girlfriend for this coming season.

Thanks
Brandon Osborne