New Digs for the Indigos

[matt rand]

hey all,

i'm finally getting my 6-foot animal plastics cages put together to house the indigos. these are 72"x30"x18" with doors that hinge downwardly. i put in double 4-foot fluorescent lamps (full spectrum, non-UV) and a 50-watt spot light -- very bright. a computer fan pulls air into the cage through the ventilation slots. this keeps temps down.

the snake is one of rob carmichael's '04 females.

matt

 

[keepergale]

Its funny you posted this right now. I am planning to order some new housing this week. What factors sold you on the Animal Plastics cages? I have some Boaphile's 6321's. (72x24x11) I am going to order another and some of the eight footers.(8421's 96x24x11)
Do you have a cover of some kind for that spotlight? I know others use the same set up but would still be worried about her getting a nasty burn. Otherwise it looks real nice. What kind of bedding is that you are using

 

[matt rand]

hey gale,

i use aspen shavings for the big cages and newspaper for the young'uns. the snakes never go near the light. it might be more tempting to climb on if it were attached to the side instead of the ceiling. it turns out that the double fluorescent fixture gives off enough heat to warm the cage, so i use the spot for only a few hours in the morning.

i do like the boaphile cages, but i don't like the wait. i've heard nightmare stories about getting the cages once ordered. i live about 30 minutes from canon falls where they are made, but they wouldn't let me pick them up. so i tried animal plastics and have really liked their customer service and the product. the animal plastic prices were a little better and delivery charges were surprisingly low (they are in iowa, so it's pretty cheap to southern minnesota). as you can see, i modified the cages a bit and the material is very easy to work with.

matt

 

[keepergale]

Yes the story's of a long wait are true. My first order had a much longer wait than I expected. This time I am in no hurry and I do like their product.
I keep all mine on newspaper. Maybe I should be more ambitious.

 

[thesnakeman]

Nice!

Iv'e considered A.P. for some time now, and I'm still not sure. I like my vision cages very much! And I like my Neodeshas too. Still bugs me that they quit making them.

If I were you, I'd find some way to build a cover for that light asap! It only takes one small moment of curiousity, or overzealous indigo activity for them to do terrible dammage to themselves! Sooner or later, I guarentee you that they will climb on that light fixture. An old coffee can, and some quarter inch hardware cloth makes for a very good expedient light cover. But you will need to point the bulb {{straight down}} or the cover will get just as hot, and it will still give them a place to climb if it is at an angle like that. And you might want to screen that fan. There is a remote chance she could loose her tongue, or part of it. If there is trouble to be found, an indigo will find it!

Here's some of mine. Later,
T.

 

[keepergale]

Reserecting an old thread. I received my new cages I mentioned above. It took about seven weeks but I feel it was worth it. It all looks so nice. I have never had all my cages match in the past. I also never spent this much money on caging in the past. I am still "burning off" the new chemical smells before the indigos move in tomorrow. I can't wait!

 

[siberian]

Hi , Just wondering if anyone has tried cages that Ed Lilly makes at constrictorsnw? I just got 2 of them and love them. Plus he was very helpful and fast service.

 

[epidemic]

I was under the impression the largest enclosure Ed makes is 48" x 24" x 14", a bit too small for adult Drymarchon, at least in my experience..

Jeff

 

[smilin-buddha]

The doors folding downward was that an option. I see similar cages, but the doors open to the side. Than the substrate damn looks like the one for the sliding door cages. Thanks

 

[siberian]

No, Ed has changed his line. Added a little height, and makes 8 footers now.