[Temp-General] 3D printed Hide

[Kakashi]

I want to make a 3D printed snake hide for my snake, would that be okay for him? Will there be anything I'd need to watch out for? A hide like this one:

[bcr_229]

Re: 3D printed Hide

Well, it would be an improvement on wood as a material since it wouldn't mold. I would suggest blocking off one side completely and making the access hole on the other side smaller, as most snakes like dark, tight-fitting hides.

[Noelle7206]

Re: 3D printed Hide

Agree with bcr_229's post: I use a few of those tree bark tunnels for my snakes, but they are not really 'hides' that snakes want. They prefer lower ceilings to provide "back pressure", the feeling that they
are snug in a cave, safe from predators. Also, big open patio doors are not their "thing" LOL! Doorways (only one, unless the hide is enormous) should only be slightly bigger than the snake's body when full of
food at the widest part...and obviously, this will change as the snake grows bigger, so keep that in mind. Those tree bark tunnels are to climb on or under, & for appearances, mostly.

My only other concern is the material your hide will be 'printed' from: plastics are more or less toxic, most off-gas (obvious even to us "scent-challenged" humans but much worse for snakes with such sensitive

scent abilities) and I am not familiar with the type of plastic you'll be working with. I do use some plastic hides made FOR snakes, & prefer HDPE (food safe) where possible. If I can smell the plastic, I don't use

it for snakes: boxes made to store sweaters & toys (such as Sterilite tubs) should not, in my opinion, be used to house any reptiles. I don't like smelling them either, so I can imagine how snakes feel, but more

to the point, I'm concerned about cancer or other health effects from the exposure to unsafe chemicals in plastics, both because they are breathing the fumes & from regular skin contact. Also, I am mostly a

colubrid keeper, so my snakes are in glass* tanks (*inert, unlike plastic), with screen tops (ie. constant air-flow), whereas most boas are kept in cages with very little air-flow, to hold in the humidity & heat,

so keep in mind how that might multiply the negative effects of any plastics used, either the hides & furnishings, or the enclosure or tub itself.

[acephantom903]

Re: 3D printed Hide

Use a higher quality plastic in your printer and it should be fine. You can also hand make good hides which are safe if you use the right materials. I will be making a concrete hide when my girl gets big enough to need a bigger cage.

[Kakashi]

Re: 3D printed Hide

Use a higher quality plastic in your printer and it should be fine. You can also hand make good hides which are safe if you use the right materials. I will be making a concrete hide when my girl gets big enough to need a bigger cage.

Thank you everyone!

[Noelle7206]

Re: 3D printed Hide

Just speculation, but I also suspect that some snakes prefer heavier hides to give them that "back pressure"...especially snakes that grow large & powerful as boas do. That may be why some owners insist

that their snakes "never use their hides", & that they "prefer to be out in the open"? The ready-made plastic hides don't weight much, so the slightest 'back pressure' from underneath and they easily flip over.

Plus, they don't offer traction on top either...keep these things in mind if you design your own hides. The BCI I kept for many years appeared to LOVE the hide I made for her: it was a huge, fairly low rectangular

shape made from water-proofed wood sides, and a tile-board/thin melamine-? top nailed on, and 2 arched doorways cut side by side in the one end, so the snake (7'+) could easily come & go at the same time,

which resulted in apparently happy activity, cruising her cage. Also, to address traction on the slippery top, I put a new non-skid nylon carpet "door-mat" (washable & just happened to fit the size of the hide

to a T), & she was frequently seen basking on the top (under a warming light) where she had traction galore. She used the inside of that hide as much as the outside, which means getting the most out of the

space available in a given snake enclosure. Snakes care about function, we care how it looks, but with a little thoughtful decor, you can do both. BTW, having 2 doors at one end of the hide was more "open"

that I'd usually recommend, but this hide was so long ('deep') that she was obviously contented inside. The UTH was under most of that hide too, so she could choose warmth + hiding, OR warmth with a view.

Her previous hide was a jumbo sized molded plastic one, lightweight of course, & with no traction on top, a little too much height inside, & only one awkward doorway. The one I built w/ wood sides w/ carpet

on top also retained more of the heat from the UTH, & it was very clear which one she preferred...the change in behavior was immediate & fun to watch.

BTW, I've never heard of anyone making a 3D printed snake hide, so be sure to post pics if/when you do...that's a very creative idea.

[Pandorasdad]

Re: 3D printed Hide

There should be no reason you can't make one. It would be better than many that are currently out there.

[natieb]

Re: 3D printed Hide

You should totally do this. I think there might even be a market for them if they were either higher quality or competitively priced compared to the options out there.

[Kakashi]

Re: 3D printed Hide

So far this is what I'm thinking: Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet Tell me if I need to add any touch ups!


(Just a FYI My snake's name is Toby) (Also on another thought, if I did start selling them like [MENTION=7862]natieb[/MENTION] suggested, I could maybe add a little option to customize the hide, and add the name of their snake for a good $2-5?

[acephantom903]

Re: 3D printed Hide

That looks good. Another way you can add weight to the hide would have walls above it so it can be a water dish and a hide. I may or may not have gotten that idea from butter...\

[Kakashi]

Re: 3D printed Hide

Another way you can add weight to the hide would have walls above it so it can be a water dish and a hide

The only problem with that is that I don't know if the 3D Printing plastics at my school are repti-safe, I don't wanna take that risk just yet :P

[acephantom903]

Re: 3D printed Hide

I don't know if the 3D Printing plastics at my school are repti-safe, I don't wanna take that risk just yet :P

Then you probably don't want to risk it as a hide either. You can try making it and putting it in a warm humid location and observe it over a few months. See if it gets any smells or warps.

[Kakashi]

Re: 3D printed Hide

Then you probably don't want to risk it as a hide either. You can try making it and putting it in a warm humid location and observe it over a few months. See if it gets any smells or warps.

What would be a good place for a warm and humid location?

[acephantom903]

Re: 3D printed Hide

What would be a good place for a warm and humid location?

Not sure for you. Maybe in the window of a bathroom? For me I would just leave it in my patio. Patio is usually 84 degrees with 70+% humidity. Right now it is "winter" and 78 degrees with 60% humidity. This morning it was 61 degrees. Does that count as cold anywhere outside florida?

[natieb]

Re: 3D printed Hide

I hadn't thought of that. Apparently ABS isn't generally considered to be food safe. I would check what types of filaments you have available or order some specifically for your project if it's feasible.