Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I am doing my homework before I go out and buy a snake. I looking to buy kingsnakes and/or milk snakes. My biggest question is housing. I would love a stackable unit, with at least 5 - 7 seperate departments. Is there a cheaper way then vision cages? I'd like a set-up with some kind of heating set-up already built in. Any help would be a great help.

Thank you folks.

you culd build one of these designed to accomodate sterilite tubs and countersunk heat tape, it's very basic.

Very nice. Making one very similar to that now.

Not very good for display, but for modern day snake keeping it's the best. imo

Very nice Jetzen. Just curious. Is sterilite tubs the best ones/brand to choose? I take it you can get those at Walmart/Target/K-Mart? What sizes do you use for your adult kings? I might have to set me up a little system like that. Thanks.

Steve

I like sterilite brand best, rubbermaid is alright but you never know when they're gonna change their tooling.

Wal-mart sucks they don't even carry the water bowls i like.
I mostly get my sterilites from Bi-mart or Rite-aid

1.5 gal. (shoebox) for hatchlings

12 qt. for sub-adults

26 qt. for med. adults

106 qt. for JUMBO adults

give rack and tub systems a chance you won't regret it!

Thanks Jetzen. I think I'll have to stop by and purchase a few of those sizes. I'm kind of like you. I just might leave the tops on them. I can see me pulling out one of those topless containers with a few of my ratsnakes, LOL They are fast.

Steve

Lids are really not a bother, And one thing I hate is a JITTERY rat or milk on the loose in my snake room,lol.

Hey bud why did you use the tops??? Don't they get in the way?? Is there any benefit beside no escapes from to big a gap.
Later Jason

I designed ALL my racks to accept tops, mostly because of certain extremely jittery milk and rat snakes.
I have personaly seen flying milks and rats going ballistic when their tubs are being slid out with no lids.

Lids are the way to go.

That was going to be my question too about lids. I prefer to go without lids and I've found there is far less chance of escape. Plus you have the added advantage of just useing you boxes without lids as a measureing method for each shelf as you build it. I do agree about the Sterlite boxes I like them better and they slide in and out better

Here's my setup. Sorry the pic is crooked.

Has anyone ever seen that poster in the background????

Most rack users prefer not to use lids, I prefer the extra security and maybe i'll get a gaboon or a cobra someday,lol.

j/w from the picture, you drilled those holes urself on the tub right? i was just wondering if they made a tub with holes, that would be soooo much easier on us all wouldnt it lol. also, i know that this is pretty off topic, but if i was to wait till my female is 3 to 4 years old isnt that a good age to breed, i know four is but i wasnt sure about 3, i guess you just have a smaller clutch size
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i have one Brooks Kingsnake, hopefully breeding in the next couple of years! yaaahhhh, only if i can find a male though lol, but im still looking for a male lol

Those holes are burned in w/a soldering iron, i mostly drill em now.
You shouldn't have a problem finding a mate for your kingsnake there's plenty around.

I am realy interested in building something like that and i am wondering..... How big are the tubs going to need to be if i am keeping Kingsnakes and cornsnake???? Do they need to be a certain height???

costhkng

what is countersunk heat tape????

countersunk= sunk below surface

heat tape= rheostaticly(or dimmer switch) controlled for the perfect temp. if ya want to see what it looks like go to the Bean Farm or Big Apple web sites.

I don't have too much info on housing and heating, but if you are planning to get King Snakes and Milk Snakes, make sure you do not house them together. King Snakes and Milk Snakes are cannabalistic and they WILL eat one another. Good luck.