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Viv: Glass? Plastic? Petsmart?

DanaP

New member
Originally I was going to use a 10 gallon glass tank to house my new hatchling. Then I was told I could save room by using plastic tubs from walmart or a similar store. Although I'd have to use a soldering iron to melt holes into the plastic. But...couldn't the melting plastic totes be avoided by purchasing something like this?


http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752730&cp=2767037.2769282


Are there pros/cons to using these premade "critter keepers"?
 
I know of many people who use those for the babies. They work just as well as the tubs, unless you have several snakes and want to stack the tubs.
 
I would just go with a 10 gallon Critter Cage, with the sliding locking lid. So much more spacious and fool-proof.
 
I'd go with the 10 gallon but make sure it's the one with the sliding lid. I work at petsmart and we have had snakes escape from the critter keepers. The lids just aren't that trushworthy.
 
They are okay for hatchling size cornsnakes, but tubs are still going to be cheaper.

For larger snakes, though, they are not big enough. The large size is only 14.5 x 8.6, whereas you can get very large tubs.

If you've got a 10 gallon tank already that should be fine, I'd just go ahead and use that. I've housed all my hatchlings so far in 10 gallons until they got big enough for a 20 long.
 
10 gallons is not too big for a hatchling. I have always housed them 10 gallons, or even 20. This is the first year I have had a hatchling rack, which has shoebox-sized bins. I don't like the size at all. You have to be _so_ careful when opening the bins, dealing with the babies. It's _so_ easy for them to just go shooting over the side. Not a good thing for someone who isn't experienced with handling fast baby snakes. In a 10 gallon, you have room to catch the baby safely, without having it going flying. Plus- there is just so much more for them to do. I feel sorry for the little ones in the rack. In a 10 gallon they can have vines to climb, a bunch of hides to choose from- space to roam! In a shoebox, they can have two very small hides, and a tiny water bowl, but they seem to just curl up in a corner. I need to get some tiny vines for them.
 
I hadn't thought about the fact that they could shoot over the sides...thanks Nanci.

Looks like I'll be waiting on getting my first snake anyway. The risk of being kicked out of my dorm is too high for me. :(
 
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