GliderCENTRAL

Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE

Posted By: Dancing

Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 05:25 PM

Many of us have used reptariums over the years for our gliders. I have and do still occasionally. I have made custom rept frames and custom sized reptariums using factory made covers and modifying them.

At the SGGA, one was brought to me to see if I could patch some holes in it. This cover was made out of the "new" fabric.

Difference in the new and old are very obvious to anyone if you have some of each side by side for comparison. The "old" fabric is much stiffer. The "new" fabric seems like it is decades old and is really soft and flexible.

With the "old" fabric, even if a hole is chewed in it, it is virtually impossible to grab ahold of fibers in the mesh and pull out "strings".

But the "new" fabric is a DEATH TRAP for gliders. (and I imagine most any other animal). It snags super easily and threads can be pulled that could easily cause gliders to loose body parts (finger, hands etc) or even their life. They are this way new out of the package and only get worse with each washing. It is almost like putting a glider into a pair of panty hose.


PLEASE DO NOT USE the "NEW" reptarium covers for glider housing.

If you are unsure of what type of rept cover you have, take a sewing pin and try to snag and pull threads from anywhere in the fabric. If you can, you can be sure you are risking the lives of your gliders.

The "NEW" fabric is a DEATH TRAP.

The "old" fabric repts are safe for the most part. There is always the risk of a glider chewing out of one. You also need to inspect all factory sewn seams on a regular basis as they are not sewn exceptionally well. With most though, these seams are hidden behind the poles.
The safest way to use the rept covers is to put them on inside out. You will have to get creative to zip and unzip them but it can be done (add some tabs to the pulls that will hang on the outside of the screen when it is on the frame).

We are going to work on photos and hopefully video to show the dangers of this "new" rept fabric and how to tell the difference.

This "NEW" rept screen fabric is the most dangerous thing I've seen in a glider's cage. Please, if you have the "new" fabric, find alternative housing for your gliders before a life is lost.

PLEASE CROSS POST THIS TO OTHER BOARDS. It is to important not to spread the word about these!
Posted By: Trigger

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 05:32 PM

T, is there anywhere for rept people to get the old style covers or have all gone to this new cover material?
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 05:58 PM

There is only one manufaturer of Reptariums and that is Apogee. Regardless of who is selling them, they are all made by Apogee.

Some sellers might still have some of the old style in stock but once it's gone, it's gone.

All we can do is hope that Apogee goes back to the old style fabric but I've heard they have no plans to do that. "Reptariums are not made for sugar gliders, they are for reptiles" is their reasoning. The bottom line is, the new fabric cost less yet they still sell them for the same (or higher) prices.
Posted By: hpyhwn2003

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 06:04 PM

I'm going to be making that video to show the difference in the fabric but I NEED SOME HELP. If you have a 1 foot by 1 foot piece of the old screen and are willing to send it to me please pm me. Thanks in advance.
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 06:09 PM

I had some at the SGGA and wish I had thought to give you some along with that "new" one. Shoot me a pm with your addy again and I'll get a peice out in the mail to you tomorrow.
Posted By: hpyhwn2003

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 06:11 PM

Will do.
Posted By: WintersSong

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 06:41 PM

Going to post this on GG as well to get the word out.
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 06:55 PM

Thanks Sara.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 06:58 PM

I have a full-size 260 screen I have NO use for anymore, just replaced the cage with landware cloth. If anyone would like it or a piece of it for educational purposes, just let me know. I washed it one last time, so it is clean, I have no problem sending samples to any breeders or other glider educators to show new owners the difference.

These also catch on reptile nails. I have at least one confirmed case of that happening.
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 07:06 PM

I have a bunch of the old rept fabric (from doing modifications in the past) that I'm willing to send out. If you have a good old fabric cover, DON"T CUT IT UP! There are too many that could use it!

If anyone wants a peice of the old fabric to see the difference, just pm me your address and I'll send out a peice.

Elena should have enough of the "new" one to send out as well.

I just don't want to see any hurt gliders.
Posted By: suggiemom1980

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 07:22 PM

This is exactly what I've been talking and complaining about! I was told by Apogee, to trim my glider's nails and the covers wouldn't snag. I told them my gliders nails are trimmed on a regular basis but, they refused to budge. I still have the custom frames but threw away the covers. I won't go back to the rept covers.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 07:30 PM

I wonder how much of the "bottom line" is sales to glider owners. I know I purchases two of the new covers before I gave up. The difference is in how the fabric is made - the old is woven cloth, the new is knitted. Anyone that has seen knitting knows what happens when one yarn breaks - your WHOLE project can be undone in a snap! Only this is made of tiny threads, not yarn! I wish we could convince Apogee to make the same covers they used to.
Posted By: Trigger

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 07:39 PM

So this new cover would be unsafe even for a supervised play cage? I am in the process of putting together a 260 rept with suggie gyms for a playcage for my kiddos.
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 07:52 PM

Supervised might be ok but they won't last long. Maybe you can buy the one from Jessica (lovely1inred)?
Posted By: Trigger

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 07:55 PM

May be the safest bet. Did you see my mess about the car carriers I got from ya? They even fit a wodent for those brats to run in.
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Reptariums, NOT ALL ARE SAFE - 08/04/10 08:06 PM

Fantastic. I wish I could get more of those carriers. I almost didn't put them for sale. I am going to regret not keeping them for myself.
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