Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Looking for opinions of what folks are using for hides for sub-adults and adult BP's.

I have a rack system that is really dark but would like to try to use hides to see if that will really get some of them feeding. I just don't want to have to spend $8-10 each on them.

thanks!
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0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons (on breeding loan)
0.1 Sub-adult
1.0 Normal ball python
1.1 Bell Line Pastel Ball pythons
1.0 Adult Het Albino Ball Python
1.0 Het Pied Ball Python
1.0 Het Carmel Ball Python
1.0 66% Het pied Ball python
0.2 50% Het albino Ball Pythons

I like the flower pot saucers....cheap from walmart. Terra cotta is best but hard to clean. I use the plastic ones, and they do fine. Some people use the flower pots themselves rather than the saucer...

Here is a picture of the hides I use. They are just pots that I cut a hole in. They are GREAT hides because (1) they are cheap - $1.50, (2) they are nice and heavy, (3) they maintain moisture well. I clean them about once a month in the dishwasher, so I do not find it to be too difficult to clean.

I use a dremmel to cut out the hole. It is a little time consuming to make the holes for the hides, but it is totally worth it considering what a good hide it is and that it only costs $1.50. Good luck.

what size are they and how many do you use in a 41 qt tub?

thanks,
Rob
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0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons (on breeding loan)
0.1 Sub-adult
1.0 Normal ball python
1.1 Bell Line Pastel Ball pythons
1.0 Adult Het Albino Ball Python
1.0 Het Pied Ball Python
1.0 Het Carmel Ball Python
1.0 66% Het pied Ball python
0.2 50% Het albino Ball Pythons

The pots I use are 7-3/4" in diameter and 4 inches high. I purchased them at Walmart. You should only need two per tub (one on the hot side, and one on the cool side.

Here is another picture.

that is sucks up liquids. Therefore, when a snake goes near the hide it soaks up the smell, and is hard to get rid of. Again, the plastics ones work great, but they are not as heavy. Either way you cant go wrong, just be prepared to occasionally scrap a clay one that has gotten smelly....

How did you get that nicely shaped hole? I use a hammer to knock a chunk out (per Pro Exotics example) and it usually does a good, but crude job.
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

I used the Dremel tool to cut out the holes for the hides. I used the cutting bit shown in the picture to actually cut the holes, and then I used the sanding bit to make the edges nice and smooth. It took about 10 minutes to complete each hide, but in my opinion, is well worth it for the quality of hide and price. If you have any other questions, let me know.

I use the plastic trays for pots that can be foudn at Home Depot. I think they're $2.19 each. The 14" ones provide plenty of space for the big girls and can still fit in tubs in a rack. Another suggestion I got from a guy locally was to go to Christmas tree lots when they're about to close and buy their water trays. He said he gets them for 10 cents each and they fit perfectly in tubs as well.

np

Plastic litter boxes,med size is great for adults....there's a small as well.Wal-Mart has them,cheap(maybe $3 for a med)!!And they'll fit in sweater boxes,and last forever!Just cut a hole in one side...I use a heat knife(soldering iron) so there's no sharp edges.

The best things I have found are the plastic flower pot bottoms. Cheap, available and they give the animals a cramped feeling, rather than the deep commercial ones. Just cut a hole in the side.

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Al Zulich
Harford Reptile
www.pythons.com