| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mike80 |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 11:56:06
Following on from this thread http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26156 I decided to check out R.U.B.s for myself. I found somewhere local to me that stocked them and went down there to take a look.
Within minutes I was amazed that people keep suggesting to use Really Useful Boxes as it was apparent that a snake could very easily escape.
The weak point is half way along the lid on the long side of the box.
I was able to push up on the over-hanging part of the lid with my little finger and create a gap between box and lid of about 7-8mm - more than enough for a corn of any size to start squeezing its head into. Once the head is in, a snake can use its whole body to lever and push the lid and make a larger gap. After that it's just a case of the snake dropping down the outside. If I'm able to do that with my little finger then a snake can easily do that from inside, especially considering it has the strength of its whole body to use.
The longer the box, the easier it is to do and the larger the gap. The smallest box on which I managed to create a gap was 3 litre, although this did require some effort. From 5 litre and upward the gap can be created with very little strength required.
Granted, a neonate probably couldn't do this, but a 6 month old corn in a 9 litre box would have no problems at all.
The effort required to open up a gap was no more than a couple of KGs of pressure, which a corn snake can easily exert.
Now, I know I'm going to get people replying saying ''This is nonsense, I've used RUBs for years and never had escapees!'' but that's far from the point. Just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean it can't happen. The fact that several people on here have had hatchlings/yearlings escape from RUBs proves that it does happen.
I'm convinced that if a snake found that weak point it would absolutely be able to escape.
I'd also like to say that this really only applies to the range of boxes available from the Really Useful brand. 'RUB' has become something of a generic term for a plastic box with a clip-lock lid, so I'm sure some other brands of that type of box are suitable.
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| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| scorpyshake |
Posted - 12/09/2012 : 09:52:15
I have 4 babies, 10 wks old, 3 of them are in plastic boxes (10 ltr)with clip handles like the RUB brand, bought from dunhelm, the lack of gap is very good, I went to buy another for the 4th baby I've bought very recently, however they never had any left :( so had to go and buy a brand name RUB (9 ltr) kitted it all out, did the vent holes etc, then checked the gap around the lid, as I'm really paranoid about having an escapee, which obviously happens too much from what I read :/...I'm glad I did, I was shocked to see the gap was much bigger than the cheaper brand boxes I'd got, so I thought about putting some silacone sealer around the lid edge, but it was too late to let it cure etc, so improvised and used my hot glue gun, had to do it in two layers, but it's great now, he wont be able to eacape, its as tight as :) and for extra security I have some small heavy random items on top of the boxes for when they get bigger and stronger |
| Razee |
Posted - 12/09/2012 : 08:10:23
I used the 5,9 and 12 l RUB's and had exactly the same concern - ended up using Bulldog clips ( heavy duty but small ) along the long sides, which has worked quite well.
I do like bluepoolshark's idea even better though. |
| bluepoolshark |
Posted - 11/09/2012 : 19:44:57
Pics of my escape proofing!
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| bluepoolshark |
Posted - 11/09/2012 : 16:21:50
I basically cut a piece of quite chunky cardboard to the size of the lower part of the rub, then trimmed the middle out. Works a treat and no hassle at all. I will upload a pic later |
| Swigpig |
Posted - 10/09/2012 : 14:41:26
Just put a small ratchet strap around the middle of the rub a few clicks job done nothing will push the lid up then! |
| Mike80 |
Posted - 09/09/2012 : 19:36:45
quote:
Originally posted by Mort13
I'm a proper paranoid owner and I too was worried about the gap in rubs. I ended up cutting up some spare tablecloth protector to size and hot gluing it to the lid to narrow the gap.
I was thinking about drop-nose pins but your idea is pretty good.
You may have just saved me a lot of messing around  |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 09/09/2012 : 18:41:22
I'm a proper paranoid owner and I too was worried about the gap in rubs. I ended up cutting up some spare tablecloth protector to size and hot gluing it to the lid to narrow the gap. |
| Thorne Walker |
Posted - 09/09/2012 : 02:38:07
Re: Snakebytes
I love that show! I went to the CRBE to get my first snake from him because of how impressed I was by his show (he didn't have any animals with him  )
I agree it can be over the top sometimes but it's not that bad compared to the 'TV' over here (more par for the course).
I can't really comment on rub's.. I use glass tanks and am quite happy to keep my small collection housed like that till the wardrobe conversion project completes.
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| Lozzy |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 22:10:12
Nice post Mike, this is exactly how my Galaxy escaped |
| Mike80 |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 20:41:34
quote:
Originally posted by Ell
Pop a heavy book on top, extra security and snakey reading material :D
I was planning on fitting vents into the lid, so holding it down with something like a book would cover up the vents
I've drawn a few plans for a frame and base for fitting the RUB into, just got to wait for the delivery and I'll see if I can make any of them work.
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| Ell |
Posted - 08/09/2012 : 20:22:11
Pop a heavy book on top, extra security and snakey reading material :D |
| Mike80 |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 16:35:19
Well, I've ordered a couple of small RUBs to have a play with.
As I said earlier, everything about them is perfect except for the bendy lids, so I'm going to fiddle around with them and see if I can knock together some sort of frame to hold the lid firmly in place. I've had a few ideas of what I'd like to do with them so we'll see how it goes.
If they don't work though, I won't be using them for my snake. I'm still convinced that a gap can be too easily made between box and lid.
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| oakleyman18 |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 15:32:02
I house my adults in the 70L versions, and there is pretty much no chance of them getting out of those. I've watched them had a good nose around and a poke, and it's just not happening. I had the same concerns too, but I don't think it will happen. Not saying it WILL NEVER happen, you never can be sure with snakeys, but I really don't see it happening. |
| Auld Baldy |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 15:30:43
I have to agree about the 3 Stooges act. Pointless and childish and I cut when it starts.
The parts that actually deal with snake matters is usually good.  |
| Mike80 |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 15:04:11
quote:
Originally posted by Auld Baldy
I had Mirkey, fully grown athletic Grey Rat Snake, in a generic tub with the clips formed on the lid. Cheapos from the More Store. Although he probed security and was able to raise the lid a bit it was never enough to escape from.
Some folk use a rack system where the RUB/tub is a snug sliding fit to prevent being able to raise the lid. The commercial racks used on Snake Bytes TV don't have any lids on the boxes. Instead they are secured by the shelving. Considering the amount of snakes they have numbering in the thousands it must be a pretty safe system.
True, a rack would solve the problem quite easily. It did occur to me as I was writing the original post that a rack-like frame could be made for a single RUB to secure the lid a little better, but the post was long enough and I didn't want to ramble on too much (which I have a tendancy to do  )
As for SnakeBytes - I can't say I take anything I see on that show too seriously. Yes, they are professional breeders so they must know what they're talking about, but they don't exactly present themselves very well. They appear to be catering to the American teenager demographic with alot of heavy metal music and some foul-mouthed idiot with a lolipop getting bitten for other people's amusement.
I'd personally like to get away from that image, not encourage it.
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| Auld Baldy |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 14:46:04
I had Mirkey, fully grown athletic Grey Rat Snake, in a generic tub with the clips formed on the lid. Cheapos from the More Store. Although he probed security and was able to raise the lid a bit it was never enough to escape from.
Some folk use a rack system where the RUB/tub is a snug sliding fit to prevent being able to raise the lid. The commercial racks used on Snake Bytes TV don't have any lids on the boxes. Instead they are secured by the shelving. Considering the amount of snakes they have numbering in the thousands it must be a pretty safe system. |
| Mike80 |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 14:34:01
quote:
Originally posted by eeji
there is no way an adult is getting out of a 50/64 litre box
I wish I had your confidence and experience eeji.
All I know is that I wouldn't put a snake in one of the boxes I examined (5 litre, 9 litre and 18 litre).
I saw my corn get through some impossibly small spaces, and the RUBs that I saw today didn't exactly fill me with confidence regarding their security.
It's a shame because aside from that they seemed perfect
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| eeji |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 14:16:12
there is no way an adult is getting out of a 50/64 litre box |
