Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the best cage on the market for housing hots? Thanks Atrox 182

Depending on the species and size of the snake, Visions can be pretty good, provided you cover over the flanges on the inside of the cage to prevent the occurance showed in the photo below. I don't know anyone personally who uses any other type of cage like Boaphile or Animal Plastics [just a couple names that came to mind]. The main thing is having a 'bomb-proof' cage that can be locked and is total escape-proof. Taking into account how many factors go into a good 'hot' cage, a lot of keepers make their own - that way you can include such features as trap boxes, or sections in which you can shift the snake off exhibit while you clean. There are also other considerations as well such as designs that don't allow gaps around sliding glass doors and double layers of metal screen at with at least a 1/2 inch of space in between. If I was ever to keep hots I would just build my own cages rather than try to work around someone else's design flaws and limitations.

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Matt Campbell
25 years herp keeping experience
Full-time zookeeper
Personal collection - 21 snakes (9 genera), 20 lizards (4 genera), 6 chelonians (2 genera)

>>Depending on the species and size of the snake, Visions can be pretty good, provided you cover over the flanges on the inside of the cage to prevent the occurance showed in the photo below. I don't know anyone personally who uses any other type of cage like Boaphile or Animal Plastics [just a couple names that came to mind]. The main thing is having a 'bomb-proof' cage that can be locked and is total escape-proof. Taking into account how many factors go into a good 'hot' cage, a lot of keepers make their own - that way you can include such features as trap boxes, or sections in which you can shift the snake off exhibit while you clean. There are also other considerations as well such as designs that don't allow gaps around sliding glass doors and double layers of metal screen at with at least a 1/2 inch of space in between. If I was ever to keep hots I would just build my own cages rather than try to work around someone else's design flaws and limitations.

>>
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>>Matt Campbell
>>25 years herp keeping experience
>>Full-time zookeeper
>>Personal collection - 21 snakes (9 genera), 20 lizards (4 genera), 6 chelonians (2 genera)
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Matt Campbell
25 years herp keeping experience
Full-time zookeeper
Personal collection - 21 snakes (9 genera), 20 lizards (4 genera), 6 chelonians (2 genera)

Matt,thanks for the info.

I don't know about the "best," but www.precisioncaging.com makes cages for hots I believe. He does make shift boxes. Check it out and see.

If you have lots of dinero, then check out Habitat Systems Limited. They make cages for hots. habitatsystemsltd.com

IMO, I think sliding glass doors are a pain with hots. Plus, if you break a glass door, then your cage is useless until the door is replaced. Acrylic doors are less attractive but won't break on you.

Also, don't want door frames that the snake could hide on or under and surprise you. You want good visibility into the cage.

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Mark G
Montane snakes are the coolest...

After I posted the 1st response I went to Habitat Systems to see if they have anything new.

habitatsystemsltd.com has amazing racks and shiftboxes for venemous. The shift boxes attach to their cages. And their venemous cages have additional protective screens behind the doors. If someone opens the doors, they still won't be in danger until they remove the protective screens. Great idea. (Go to Habitats, then Habitats for Venemous.)

You want the best, there it is. Price is very high. That is the catch.

BTW, just so you know I'm not blowing smoke, I have one of their early cages that I used for a boa. The material they use is fantastic. Super strong, super light, heats beautifully, holds heat better than any other plastic cage out there, you can screw into it, repairs easily. Just pricey.
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Mark G
Montane snakes are the coolest...

I have a new mex milk dont know anything about venemous but as far as escape goes. I cant possibly see a snake escaping from a precision cage it locks/seals tight .
The door doesnt slide open it swings down I think hot people prefer sliding door so that might be a problem.