Now confused! Glass/Timber Enclosure

[Fester]

Hi all. Before my first snake I have done much research on what I thought I needed for the enclosure. I was contemplating a melamine cabinet with glass sliding front doors. I wanted something that looked more like furniture than just another "snake cage" (will keep the wife happy too!). Anyway, today I visited "Scales & Tails" here in Adelaide. I had a good conversation with the owner. He said he would never use any timber in his snake enclosures, in fact all the enclosures he had in the shop were aquariums or all glass. He said go to any zoo or reptile park in the world and they use glass (I can't validate that one though!). Another thing he does not use is thermostats and heat lamps. He uses only heat mats. He has quite a few reptiles in the shop, including a crocodile. Now I am confused as I thought about going the aquarium route initially but was put off by the reports of too much heat loss. He claimed that was BS!
Anyone using an aquarium as an enclosure?

Regards, Fester

[elapid68]

I don't know what Zoo's or Reptile Parks he goes to, but personally I've not seen totally glass enclosures and any of the ones I've been to.

People do use glass aquariums for their critters but personally mine are timber or Malamine with glass fronts. I'm one of those who beleive you do lose too much temp with totally glass enclosures, but that's just my opinion. I suppose it comes down to personal preference and what you feel is the best for your critters.

[SlothHead]

I have to agree with Elapid here, i have both wood and glass enclosures

The full wood enclosures all run with thermostats. and they retain the heat well.

THe full glass, i run heat lamps etc in that, no heat mat, just insulation, and it does lose the heat faster than wood.

This doesnt concern me, as i have DP's in it.

But logically, it doesnt matter if you lose heat, so long as you provide a hot area. Snakes will thermoregulate themselves, if they want to be in the cold part they will, if they want to get warm they will sit under the basking lamp or heat lamp etc.

So it doesnt make that much difference. Thats what i have found.

D

[JandC_Reptiles]

It would depend on what species you wish to hold imo.
For high humidity animals that require misting I would go all glass aquariums due to the amount of moisture. But for the majority of Reptiles that don't require regular misting I would use timber due to retaining heat & easier control of temps.

[whiteyluvsrum]

i got glass, but they are all juvies in them. once they get bigger, ill move em into wooden.
i dont need two worry about holding temps living up here.

[jungle]

If yiu go for Timber seal the bottom edge and up the corners with slicon to stop the chipboard swelling if it gets wet!