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Question about vivs

Sisuitl

Sisuitl

I dig'em!
Just wondering if anybody here has had experience with vivs that have some screen components.

The idea is to build some nice wooden boxes with hinged lids that clamp shut. Rather than having a plexiglass front, I was wondering if it might be feasible to make a hardware screen or fine mesh nylon screen front. I have no cats or anything that could bother them, temps aren't a problem as they are stable, and it's very muggy around here all the time. What are your guy's thoughts on this kind of setup?

I'd like to build some nice display cages, both for my garters and my corns. My garters do really really well at room temp (lower 70s, with a warm spot in the lower 80s) and the ambient room temp easily fills the baseline requirement. The corns do just fine in a very similar setup.

Currently they are all in sweaterboxes, but even though there are tons of air holes I notice the air seems stagnant and extremely muggy compared to the air outside of their boxes. I tried to get water dishes with less surface area to reduce humidity, but it hasn't worked. This has me a bit concerned as I don't want anybody to get a respiratory infection from stale air, and it can't be terribly pleasant breathing stale air all day long.
 
Using screen you will have a very hard time maintaining the temperature and the humidity levels.
 
You will also have problems with facial abrasions because the snakes will rub their little faces against the screen.
 
Yeah I was worried about facial abrasions. Do you think that a softer nylon screen might be gentle enough? Sort of like what is used for chameleon cages...hmm...

DAND, I'm not too worried about the humidity and temps being regulated as the setups they are in currently are far too humid, despite tons of air holes and everything. Heh, I can drive 10 minutes and end up in the middle of a temperate rain forest. They are in a temperature controlled herp room too, so temps are not a big deal. Thanks though!

If anybody has ideas for reducing the humidity that doesn't involve screen, let me know. It's the only thing I can come up with. Currently I am wiping down the walls of their boxes once every other day because of the moisture droplets. Not good.
 
Unless you are some kind of woodworking enthusiast, I would consider simple glass aquariums with the black metal screen tops that snap on with clips. They are easy to clean, not that expensive, provide a good view of what's inside, easy to attach UTH to, and it's not a major project. Wood will probably retain humidity/dampness, while glass does not. How many snakes are you talking about making new homes for?
 
The vivarium I built for my bullsnake is wire mesh. It works great, but I dont recommend it for snakes that require high humidity.
 
So your bullsnake doesn't rub his nose on the mesh? The whole reason I'm considering screen is because the humidity is way too high. If anybody knows of a way of lowering the humidity (aside from removing their water dishes) I'd like to know, because this is the only thing I can see that will work. I can't lower the humidity of the room because there are other herps (my iguana) that are free ranging in the room that need the humidity, and it's a one room dorm/apartment.

I may build just one, and monitor whichever corn goes in very carefully to see if any nose rubbing happens and go from there.

Thanks for your input everybody! :)
 
I like the idea! There a many new 'soft' screens available at HD or Lowes. The new material is like nylon vs. the old aluminum screens. There is even a new type which stretches to prevent a kid from walking through. I think this would prevent abrasions. *However* some good points have been made about UTH attachment and temp/humidity... Still an idea worth thinking about. Good Luck.

JaLan
 
If you want added ventilation where you don't need visibility, consider punched aluminum (at Home Depot or similar places). It is kind of expensive, but easy to work with, decorative, and lasts forever. It has lots of ventilation, although not as much as screen.

Rub your hand against both sides of it, and you will feel a rough side and smooth side (not easy to see the difference visually). Of course, be sure to put the smooth side towards the snakes. We used it for many years as the top of some plastic drawer type racks for various rat snakes. Never had a problem with any rubbing noses. The only downside is that you can't use it for viewing, and the expense of buying it by the sheet.
 
Sisuitl said:
If anybody knows of a way of lowering the humidity (aside from removing their water dishes) I'd like to know, because this is the only thing I can see that will work.
Click to expand...

What substrate are you using? Ive found different substrates can make a HUGE difference in the himidity. I recently switched from repti-bark to coconut bark and the practically doubled in a matter of hours.
 
Right now they are on paper towels, but that will change when they go into display vivs. I've used shredded brown paper in the past, and was thinking of going back to that.

DAND, they are in plastic sweaterboxes. The one cage that doesn't have problems is the critter keeper, but now they are all outgrowing critter keeper sized enclosures. Lots of vent holes, it's just way to humid here for that I guess. At least, it is in this room. Anyway the way I see it, it's a lot easier to increase the humidity of an enclosure than it is to reduce it.

That's a great idea Kathy! I could frame the viv out of wood and use the punched metal for the sides and top! Heh heh, that would look cool with the little light inside shining through the side holes, sort of like those punched tin lanterns. :)

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate all the time you took to comment, it has helped a lot!
 
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