Flower pots as hides - bad idea?

[OverTech]

I took a 10" flower pot and cut it in half with a jigsaw to use as a hide. This is how I found it this morning:



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Dave
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Hmmm, snake too large for selected hide, I'd say [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[Stormyva]

I gave up on clay pots... they alway seemed too brittle after cutting them. I use the clay bottoms and then plastic bowls or plastic flower pots for the top part of the hide.
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[LdyDrgn]

LOL! "When she sits around the house, she really sits AROUND the house" [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]

Sorry.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I used ceramic pots with no trouble at all. But you don't cut them in half, that really weakens the structure. Just cut a hole in the side or widen the drain spout just a bit larger than the girth of the snake. You want it to be able to crawl in with a full belly [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] Once she gets a bit bigger, pots are no longer useful, since the ones that would fit her are too big, too heavy, and too thick to cut! That's when you switch over to large kitty litter pans [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[trinitywolf]

I think that they are a bad idea in general. Although it might be unlikely, your snake could be cut by the edges, should it break (as it did in this situation). I'm not knocking you here, I just think that there are better alternatives. Ldydrgn is right on with the kitty litter pans, which also make good water bowls as well. Good Luck!

Ted
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[slaponte]

Big snake in a little pot...
Big snake in a little pot...

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[XzyluM]

I've never messed with the pots, simply because they aren't my type. However, the ceramic saucers make good waterbowls [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[J.Monaghen]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with clay/terra cotta flower pots as hide boxes. The secret is in the cutting.

If you start out by soaking the pot in water for 30 minutes, then you can cut it with extreme ease. I use a Dremel with a fiberglass reinforced disc, and it will cut through the pot like a hot knife through butter. Not only that, but a sanding disc on that same Dremel will make the edges etremely smooth, and of no risk to the snake. It also makes no difference as to the structural integrity of the pot. It dries strong, and attractive.

If your enclosure affords the room for the appropriate pot, then I couldn't see why someone wouldn't want to only spend $10.99 for the largest pot Home Depot has. They are extremely strong, and can also be used to aid in raising the humidity levels of a drier enclosure.

My vote goes the way of "Yes", they make fine hides. Just MO.
joe
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[Karen]

I actually LOVE clay flowerpots. They're really cheap hides. haha I buy them large enough that the snake can coil up in with some extra room. They already have holes inthe bottom so I just turn the pot with the hole facing up and chip away at the hole . I just use a screw driver and hammer cuz I really suck at using tools. haha Do it slow and easy or you'll crack the pot. once i have the whole big enough i sand the hole down so there arent any rough edges. Then I scrub the pots in water to remove any loose clay. For my snakes that need high humidity I just soak the posts in water and voila instant humidity.
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