Design technology - bioactive snake enclosure

Week 1 - Overall size - we've repurposed a shelving unit for the shape and size to suit Ruby the corn snake. Each hole is filled and sanded so the unit can be cleaned the fresh paint can be applied. 

 Week 2:

This week we're focusing on security for the snake - corn snakes especially are escape artists so it's very important that the vivarium is sealed. Niamh  has measured the opening for the glass (twice of course) and we're using tempered glass for safety. Snakes are essentially pure muscle and can actually push glass out of its frame, so tempered is essential. The glass has now been ordered for next week.

Sealing the vivarium is also important - partly to keep heat from the heat mat in, but also to keep humidity within the vivarium when the snake is shedding. We've used a bathroom and kitchen sealant to prevent mould which can cause respiratory problems in snakes.

Painting is for the aesthetic value, but using a gloss paint means that disinfecting the vivarium is easier. Even though this is a bioactive vivarium, everything (including the insects) has to be sterile. Logs and leaf litter has been kept in the freezer to kill any bacteria.

Week 3