Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've checked both Home Depot and Walmart for terra cotta flower pot bases, but all seem to be only about 3/4 inch deep. Is this really enough space for a Ball Python, or are you guys finding deeper 2" (give or take) bases?

Oh, and it IS pretty difficult to chip away terra cotta without destroying the entire base. Any pointers for this? Maybe soaking it first?

Thanks,
Chris

at the beginning. I have never broke a flower pot, and i've only made 6. It might take some people one or two pot bases to get the hang of it. BUt it is like riding a bike, except this takes 1 minute to learn.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
0.1 Red blood python (Rhianon)
0.0.1 ball pythons (FELIX!!!!!)
2.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, Bear, and Tony)

My image Gallery

Flower pot bottms do make great hides, BUT the clay is very porous and sucks in the germs. It also sucks in cleaners, such as bleach, which can be bad for your captives.

I had a lot of clay flower pot bottoms as hides for my babies, but I am much happier with plastic ones. I found my current ones at Menards. I used a dremel to cut entrances, but they are so thin a good pair of scissors would probably work.

yes, they come in different depths. Try a real garden center or florist.
http://www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answer_making_clay_hide.html

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Astronomy Picture of the Day

I use some of the actual pots for my adult females (instead of the pot bases).

Great news on the depths! Unfortunately, I can't play the video clips. Don't know why. I have the latest version of Quicktime Pro. Who knows? Maybe it's a Mac thing. Thanks anyway.

Chris

Also at a garden center look for 'bulb pots' and sometimes orchid pots. The bulb pots especially are shallow - they;re about 1/2 the depth of a regular pot, and I use them for my larger snakes.
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

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http://www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answers_Hide_Spots.html

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Astronomy Picture of the Day

For working with terra cotta flower pots and bases, try a masonry blade in a jig saw. Works pretty well.

However, like others are saying, plastic is better in my opinion. Easier to work with, lighter weight, easier to clean.

Mark

>>I've checked both Home Depot and Walmart for terra cotta flower pot bases, but all seem to be only about 3/4 inch deep. Is this really enough space for a Ball Python, or are you guys finding deeper 2" (give or take) bases?
>>
>>Oh, and it IS pretty difficult to chip away terra cotta without destroying the entire base. Any pointers for this? Maybe soaking it first?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Chris