Enclosures for venomous snakes

[jakew]

Hi all,

I plan to keep elapids when the time comes. Want to be prepared as you could understand. Does anybody have any hints, or even better, photos of their enclosures.

[ozherpconservation]

Don't have any photo's of my enclosures at the moment, but I do have a bit of advice. Go top opening enclosures as most elapids have a habit of launching out of their enclosure the second you open it looking for food, and its hard to stop them in a front opening enclosure.

Daniel

[Fuscus]

I don't have any hots ATM but know people who do. I think the two rules are top opening and lockable. I think they have to be lockable by law. Also a guy I know who keeps fierce snakes has their hides equiped with sliding doors that can be opened/closed with a stick, which I thought was a very good idea. Makes cage cleaning a lot safer.

[AGAMIDAE]

I disagree with you ozherp , I believe that front opening enclosures are safer for you and your vems, not all our vems will rush out for food (like our mulga Dan...lol). The problem I have with top openers is that some times the keeper will jump when the snake strikes and let gp of the lid and unfortunately the lid will fall onto the snake and killing it (lesson I learnt many years ago). It is equally as dangerous with with top openers as it is for front openers. You will also find that with top openers you will have to stand closer to the opening it and every time you open it your arm has to stretched across the opening bringing it into strike range, whereas front opening you never have you hand arms in directed strike range as it is sheilded by the door, sure its going to jump out if thats its temperment, but it will jump out just as easily and fast out of a top opener but with added danger and threatening to the snake life.

Marc (hope that makes sense)

[peterescue]

The sealable hide is a great idea. If you have venemous reptiles you cant go past these. Makes the snake easy to transport and it has a place it knows and that it will want to go back into.

[ozherpconservation]

Marc, you're not allowed to disagree with me. I thought you were my friend! Give me my mulga's back!

Go top opening enclosures!!!

[peterescue]

I find both types usefull. I like be able to bring the top openers down to the floor so that I can open them from behind.
I Also agree with Marc about the front openers. I like the fact that if necessary I can have the door between us and still do what ever it is .

[AGAMIDAE]

ozherp...dont you have front openers for your vems???

[ozherpconservation]

Yes I do, thats why I say don't use them!

[hugsta]

I will also be getting vens next year and it appears that both types of enclosures work well,all depends on personal preference and what you are used to using I guess.

[ether]

I will also be getting vens next year and it appears that both types of enclosures work well,all depends on personal preference and what you are used to using I guess.

What to you reckon will be your first ven??

[hugsta]

Will probably start off with a RBB, get some captive handling experience up, then I would love a nice blood red marked collets or nice black and yellow tiger. Then maybe an adder or two. I will have had a fair bit of handling wild vens by then so I will just need to hone in my at home handling skills.

Can't wait.

[Fuscus]

URS has some nice small adders ATM. They are the sandy red color morph

I wouldnt have a clue about Ven's enclosures yet.

But i just noticed that this is Jakew's first post.

Welcome to the site mate, hope you find it informative and fun.

Cheers, Alan.

[ozherpconservation]

hugsta, let me know if you are after some juvenile red bellys. My female looks like she has a belly full of babies and has just gone off her food.
They are the southern NSW form, jet black and dark red.

Daniel