Exo Terra tanks for corns?

[Jynxer]

Hi, I'm new. I have an okeetee corn, Jynx, she's just a smidge over 2 foot. She's currently in a 10 gallon tank, but she's getting a new tank on Saturday. I've been looking at an Exo Terra vivarium for her. It would be about 25 gallons, and she loves climbing, so she would use the vertical space. Does anyone use these tanks? Do you recommend them? Thanks!

Jake

 

[shooterKD]

I've been wondering this myself and was just gonna post about it... I've got a great opportunity to purchase a nearly new full setup, so I'll be eagerly waiting for replies here...

 

[Chip]

Are you talking about the glass cages with sliding screen tops? Those are fantastic! I'd keep venomous in those, the top is so secure. Overall, I've been impressed with Exo-Terra's entire line. I'm in the industry now, and have really started paying attention to who makes what. If I were starting from scratch and keeping my first snake, I'd start with that very cage. You wont have any escapes (unless you leave the door open), and it's really well-made. They make a 30 X 18" 30 gallon model that would house a large adult corn in a nice display. Bear in mind if you buy their heat pads, the Rainforest series is 1/2 the wattage of the Desert models; which only reach 100-105 degrees. I find the Rainforest pads too cool for any species I can think of.

 

[Lestette]

Do you mean the tanks with the sliding screen slids, or the ones that have to opening doors in the front?
The sliding screen ones lock into place VERY well, but the glass door ones I don't think are too great... I have the largest Exo-Terra and I would like to use it for my snakes when they get bigger, I noticed the other day that the screen lid isn't very secure at all. I know that mine is really loose and I imagine that a snake could push it off fairly easily if it wanted to.

I would look into a few of them first if that is what you want to get.

 

[Chip]

I love the glass door cages, too! I mostly keep lizards in them, but can't imagine the top coming loose unless a heat lamp or something warped the plastic. I use hot bulbs (don't like the compact fluorescents) and a deep dome w/125 watt MVB's on the top of them for beardies, and so far (13 cages, 2 years) so good.

I'd call the store, they might get you a new screen top. The design just isn't ideal for a snake cage, for me.

 

[Lestette]

I have the same terrarium!
And maybe I will have to give them a call, mine is very loose. :S

 

[MyLittleGuyCyrus]

I have an Exo Terrarium for Cyrus (I think it is about a 30 gallon). I love it! Mine isn't long like the one above, it is more square. I got it off Craigslist, I traded the girl a pair of Bronco tickets for it. Got the Viv, a huge climbing log, hides. About $400 worth of stuff for a pair of tickets, I just couldn't pass it up! Mine has the two front glass doors that swing open! The top is screen and holds well! I would recommend it for sure.

 

[Bharmonika]

I have the exact same one that you describe, MyLittleGuyCyrus. Mine was given to me along with a pair of lepord geckos. I have been considering getting one for my snake as well, but bigger. I love them. Mine is a desert scene-up. I will have to post pictures of it when I get the chance.

 

[Jynxer]

Wow! Thanks for the replies. I'm so lucky I found this site. I was on a different site that had a corn forum, and it was dead. I was lucky if I got 1 reply a week. Great reviews it sounds like. I think I'm going to go with the Exo. I'll post pics of how it goes!

Thanks again!

Jake

 

[Chip]

I'd get their "Critter cage!" That is the best glass snake cage made. The Exo-Terra vivarium is nice, but best for lizards or arboreal snakes, IMO. They make a 36X18" (30 gallon) viv that I've yet to have a complaint about. Clay Davenport keeps all his hots in them (he keeps a few rattlesnakes). Snakes don't get out.

 

[Floof]

The Exo-Terra terrarium with the glass opening doors is definitely a great choice. I probably wouldn't recommend it for a little hatchling, but I have my yearling in the 36x18x18 model, and she loves it.

I've only had two issues with it:
--1. Using a clamp lamp clamped on the side wall of the terrarium loosens the lid on the opposite side (how I have it in the pic below), so now I have the lamp clamped to the back, and I haven't had any more problems with a loose screen;
--2. There's a gap on each side of the background (on the bottom or the top, depending on how you insert it) that was plenty wide enough for Mallie to crawl back and get behind the background in the cord cut-out 3 or 4 times just in the first day we had it. I ended up having to fix this by hacking a chunk of cardboard off the cats' spare scratching post insert and cutting it so it would fit tightly in the gap. Currently I have the gaps on the bottom with the improvised cardboard inserts, and she hasn't gotten behind the background since. =)

All in all, the Exo-Terra has worked out great for Mallie... Very possibly the only reason I haven't gotten my second snake is because my mother (very correctly!) insists that I'll want to upgrade the new snake from Mal's old 20L to its own Exo-Terra within the first DAY. xD I think she underestimates my ability to compromise and improvise... -shrug-

 

[sacrifice.theory]

What about the 24" x 18" x 18" model?
Would that be big enough for an adult corn?
-scratches chin-

 

[Chip]

Being as I keep 90% of my corns in a Rubbermaid sweater box, I'd say that would be more than adequate!

 

[sacrifice.theory]

I would keep Dex in a sweater box like that, since it's more cost efficient, but I spoil my animals rotten, plus I like the look of vivariums for decorative value. =]
I just want something nice that I can put him in now, and that will suite him when he's reached maturity.

 

[sacrifice.theory]

AND!!! I want the most optimal conditions for him to thrive in.

 

[Lestette]

Question... Do you think would be safe to put young corns in an exo-terra? For those of you that have them, have you ever kept young ones in an exo-terra?

 

[Floof]

What about the 24" x 18" x 18" model?
Would that be big enough for an adult corn?
-scratches chin-

I'd imagine it would be... It's the same floor space as a 20L, just with the dimensions flipped around some.

Question... Do you think would be safe to put young corns in an exo-terra? For those of you that have them, have you ever kept young ones in an exo-terra?

Like I said, I have my yearling in a 36x18x18. I wouldn't know for sure, but I've always thought she's a bit small for her age (I've fed her more along the lines of once a week to once every week and a half since about a month after we got her last Dec.)... If it helps at all, she's 56 grams and almost 2.5 feet, and there aren't any gaps that she can even think about getting through. If you're planning to keep a hatchling in one, my only suggestion would be to constantly (obsessively, even!) make sure that the plastic cover for the cord holes is always shut tight, and do something like I did with the cardboard for the cord gaps on the bottom edge of each side for the background.

I hope this helps... Mallie's only been in hers for about two weeks so far, but all's well so far. =)

 

[Chip]

Exo-Terra makes two styles. The glass door one isn't one I use for snakes, personally. The sliding screen top one is the best snake enclosure on the market that I've seen. If they escape, YOU made a mistake. The glass door ones are well-made, but really seem to be a lizard cage to me. I keep everything from crested to beardies in 'em, but the height seems wasted if used as a corn cage from my perspective.