tunnels & hides

[thesnakeman]

I see so many different things out there being used for hide boxes. And most of them, I don't like for a number of different reasons. So I set out to create something that would be functional, long lasting, lightweight, versatile, and sterile. This is what I have come up with for larger drys. Since they are largely subteranian, and very inqiusitive, I think I have done pretty well, in providing them with something to do, and a concealed transition between temperatures.

All you need is some 4" PVC pipe, some medium grit sand paper, and a dremmel tool. Smooth all sharp edges, don't glue the peices together, and let your imagination run wild. When you are finished, your snakes will have something to do. Now just switch the peices and parts around evry few days to hold their intrest.

I also use plastic storage boxes that I paint black for a darker more secure hide box. That way they have options. Just take a look, and feel free to ask questions. Thanks,
T.

 

[thesnakeman]

np

np

 

[thesnakeman]

more

pics

 

[thesnakeman]

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[thesnakeman]

here's an idea for smaller, younger...

Snakes.You can either do this by cutting a peice of 4" pvc in half, length ways, or you can buy some 2or 3" pipe and fittings. This is 4" cut in half with a cottage cheese lid cut in half on the ends. I used a hot glue gun for that. Have fun, use your imagination, and good luck!
T.

 

[Robert Seib]

Tony,

This is interesting and giving me knew idea. You know that animals get bored in zoos. In Japanese zoos they are experimneting with ways to change the environments to keep them interested. With large apes they make them work for their food in a new way each day. What they used to eat in 5 minutes now takes them 4 hours.

I like the idea of adding the PVC and chaning it around when time allows.

Please tell me where I can buy one of those hide boxes. I am not sure what it is, but my snakes allways tear the lids off of my plastic containers. Your's in the photo looks very sturdy.

robert

 

[snotex]

Legos for Dry's!!

Hey Tony..Looks like Mongo is having fun..I bet getting the poop out just loads of fun..Carl

 

[thesnakeman]

hide boxes

You can find a wide assortment of shapes and sizes of plastic boxes at Wal-Mart, KMart, Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and on and on. These particular ones I got at Lowes in the "storage" department. Good luck!
T.

 

[thesnakeman]

Hey Carl

Not to worry, nothing is glued or permanently fastened together. All parts are easily disasembled. And I keep a five gallon bucket of pure vinigar on hand so that when they do make a mess inside, I just spray out the exess with the hose, and drop the affected peices in the vinigar for a little while, then wipe dry. I wonder who it was who told me about the vinigar,...hmmm.
T.

 

[dan felice]

connecting cages......

tony, one year, while my colubrids were in a closet brumating, i connnected 3 large tanks kind of like a 'giant habitrail' using pieces of downspout as the connectors. then i put 1.3 adult unis in and let have the run of the range till that march. it was really a cool thing to watch as they would really sail around in the open space sometimes! they can go from 0 to 60 in about a second flat and they make a startling loud noise when they do!! one of the tanks they had access to was a 6' tall arboreal w/ a nice tree and perches, etc. i was surprised to see these big snakes climb right up them like it was nothing at all! that gave me an idea and now i provide branches for my babies to 'work out on'. they seem to enjoy it and it's neat to watch them too. i think it's also good for them and improves their muscle tone also. my adult tanks are only 18'' tall so i screwed some branches on 2 sides for them [equaling 10'] and they use these all the time, sometimes laying up there for days at a time or just to cruise around on......anyway, good luck w/ your breedings this season and thanks for helping getting this forum started. ttyl.....dan

 

[epidemic]

Enrichment

The programs Robert mentioned, regarding primates in Japanese Zoos, are known as enrichment programs.
Such programs actually originated within European Zoological entities, and have been in place within the US for many years.
Such programs are typically geared toward mammals, especially primates, elephants and other large mammals, while several zoological entities have developed such programs for reptiles as well, usually through enclosure additions.
You can go to the AZA website for more information regarding such programs, here’s the URL: http://www.aza.org/.
Also, the AZA offers membership to non-zoological professionals and the magazine sent, The Communique’, always contains great information.

Jeff

 

[thesnakeman]

Latest Creation, {The snakeloo}

We had this plastic salad bowl, which, when put through the microwave, with some macaroni,&cheese, began to bubble and melt. So it got donated to the hide box pile. Now it looks like a black igloo. I used a piece of 6"plastic sewer pipe to make the entry. The lid still fits so that I can pick the whole thing up without disturbing the animal. And I can easily get him out if I want. Feel free to e-mail me with questions/comments.
T.

 

[Eric East]

You have some good ideas. I especially like the igloo!

Eric

 

[VICtort]

ABS hides

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Dear Tony, that is a fine suggestion. Something to do for these active animals is a worthy endeavor, and imitating a gopher tortoise burrow in a simple way makes sense. I have used pipe effectively with my hatchling and subadult tortoise for years, which allows an increase in humidity etc. People often say that Drys have trouble shedding, and this pipe would allow you to place a sponge soaked in water at the end of the pipe and thereby increasing the humidity and perhaps allowing an easier ecdysis. One had better think it out if dealing with a gravid female, as she might lay them in some part of the pipe where they would be hard to remove. Anyway, I love these simple solutions to problems. Thankyou, Vic

 

[thesnakeman]

Thanks Vic

I appreciate the kind words. I'm always searching for things to make life better and healthier for my kids. I have found that all things plastic are good. I am even thinking about making some kind of "toys" for them. I'll let you all know how that goes.

I have a heavily gravid female now, but she stays in the box with damp sphagnum moss on her own. She seems to know where she needs to be. I think it helps to keep her from getting dehydrated while gravid, as she has shown no intrest in drinking. A certain amount of moisture can be absorbed through the skin. During ecdysis, I put damp moss or damp paper towels in their hide boxes. And when the eyes go back to clear, I begin spraying down the entire inside of the cage. I soak everything. I think it's good for them, and it sure helps with the shed. With a basking light, the cages dry out in a few hours anyway. If you have proper ventilation, and a proper basking light, there is no such thing as too much moisture during shed. However, you don't want them to be swiming. I never have shedding trouble with this method. In fact, I watch the hygrometers inside the cages, and when they read below 50%, I go ahead and spray down the inside of the cage, weather the snakes are in shed or not. I think these animals experience very high humidity, most of the time, in the wild anyway. It may even be esential, although there is no evidence that I know of to support this.
T.

 

[thesnakeman]

here's some more,..........

These are just standard hide boxes which have a short piece of tunnel added, at the entrance. They seem to like these very much. Even prefering them to the ones with just a hole cut in the box. Indigos crave privacy, and the added tunnel helps create the illusion of privacy for them.
T.

 

[VICtort]

Hideboxes-how to?

Dear Snakeman, these are a fine idea. To save those of us that are "handy-craft" challenged some time, tell us the easiest and neatest way to cut the round holes that you insert the pipe into. Thankyou, Vic

 

[thesnakeman]

How to

I use a Dremel tool with cutting bit. The bit looks like a drill bit, but it's actualy designed for cutting instead of drilling. Dremel is a wonderful thing!

You will also need a hot glue gun, and some imagination.
T.