Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What do you recommend as far as the type of enlosure to keep a gabby in?

I was looking at vision cages but I'm not sure the front-opening is such a good idea, especially if I plan on making a thick floor covering.

Building is an option, pictures would definately be helpful to give me an idea.

Is there anything else that would make a good enclosure to keep humidity in that can open from the top? I'm not sure a regular "tank" would be sufficient. Unless there's some way I can make it that way? And I know a rubbermaid definately isn't 100% un-escapeable haha.

Let me know what's recommended. And if front-opening is better, give me reasons why. Thank you!!
Rachel

Remember though, the thicker the substrate, the more chance youve got of getting mites, and other pesky critters

In the book "Living Snakes of the World in Color", author John M Mehrtens states (in the entry for Gaboon Vipers) "It should be noted that none of the large Bitis species should be kept in top-opening cages." Unfortunately, he does not state why. I imagine it is because it is harder to lift them safely out of the cage on hooks without being in striking range.

I know this is an older thread but I thought I would go ahead and post a reply anyway.I house my large female Gaboon in a large(48"x30"x18"custom enclosure that is made of high grade plywood.It is sealed inside and out with a polyurethane coating and the floor is coated with fiberglass resin.I do have a piece of heat tape built into the floor.I have read conflicting things about the use of heat tape but it seems to work for me.I figured any other heat source wold dry the cage out to much.(Gaboons need high humidy).My cage opens to the front and I think this is a big advantage because without an open top it helps to keep the humidty up and it also forces me to keep the snake out on the end of the hooks when I have to take her out.You will need two hooks to handle your snake when it gets some size on it,and I have found it difficult to buy hooks of sufficient strength and length to handle a large gabby.Be prepared to make your own.I think the most important part of the cage to consider is the locking mechanism.I use a hasp type lock thats available at any hardware store.Another thing I minght mention is to be mindful of where you put your cage.I used to have mine atop of a 41qt rack that I used to house my ball pythons.I found out quickly that this was a bad idea because my gabby always tried to get off the hooks and shoot up into the spaces between the tubs.Its really no fun to try to fish a gaboon viper out of a tight space.I have also found the neodesha cages to be good for small to medium gaboons as they are lightweight,hold humidity well and can be locked.Vision cages are not very good for venomous species because of the lip above and below the sliding glass doors.Hope you will find this post helpful