Herpsrule, yes i do have covers for the lights i just hadnt installed them when i took that pic as it was taken when i was working out placement of hides ect before the snake went in. An we weren't trying to hijack asharees thread, she mentions that she hasnt got 200 to spend on a viv.... well neither did i but i still have an enclosure untill i can afford to build a better one, and it wouldnt have cost alot more than the set-up of a click-clack, just trying to show others on a budget that it can easily be done
Sorry herpsrule but i believe click clacks remain in the domain of breeding (keeping STOCK to make $$$$), temp emergency enclosure, or illness not for the people that keep them for the love of the animal. I'd rather be able to sit back with my mates and watch the snake while having a brew than have to go get my lunchbox for people to see. Thats just my opinion.
As for asharee's click clack it is very nicely done and i would be proud of it too if it was what i wanted but it's just not for me
Tigercoastal.. Have you got covers for those lights? Put very simply snakes can get very bad burns from exposed globes. Worse yet, with thier muscle ability, even a smaller snake could break the globe possibly causing lacerations to the snake, or even electricution at worst, all from having exposed globes.
All the sarcastic, harmful, meaningless posts non relating to the fact Ash is simply happy and excited with her click clack which, from my experience in keeping snakes, is perfectly fine so long as the temps/humidity/hides/branches (in this case dowel) etc are all fine and controlled, you should learn to bite your tongue then to harshly comment on a happy new herp keepers thread, HIJACKING it in the meanwhile, without manners.
As for enrichment in click clacks, it can be done. Putting small branches with leaves every now and again for example, have different smells etc. on them. Also, rotating food items is also good, having for example a quail or DOC every now and again.
larger enclosures with all those furnishings are less hygenic for the snake. being an enclosed area, bacteria is more likely to grow which causes alot of health problems you see.
for E.G:
wooden percing (branches from trees, logs etc) - if wet, can rot and raise humidity, possibly causing a respiratory infection or scale rot.
mulch or bark for substrate - mulch doesn't dry quickly, and also can cause the above mentioned diseases. If the snake is fed in its enclosure, which is reccommended as if you move the snake after feeding you raise the potential for a regurgitation, bits of bark can stick to the food item and possibly cause a block, a prolapse, splinter inside the animal, or even gut impaction (most common in bearded dragons)
Real plants - have the potential to transfer diseases from other animals that may have touched/ gone near the plant if it is not properly quarantined/washed/disinfected.
The dirt/soil from the plant may have fertilizer in it, which could potentially kill your snake being in an enclosed area releasing gasses etc, having food items touch the fertilizer.
also the dirt can breed bacteria causing disease in captive animals.
on top of this all, as you have mentioned, it is more difficult to clean a fully decked out enclosure. It is easier to wipe with F10 a blank melamine wall, or plastic tub, with plastic plants, and change the paper. bacteria is LESS likely to breed if the enclosure doesnt have as many nooks and crannies that are potentially wet when cleaning, but unable to be fully sterilized as they cannot by be taken out of the tank and cleaned then dried and replaced.
just food for thought. Would you say you are really creating a better habitat for your animal? Or potentially a slow death by bacteria because it 'looks' better.
-Natalie.
Enter your email address to join: