Minimum spacial requirements

[CosmicOwl]

I understand that many people keep perfectly healthy reptiles in enclosures that would fit the bare minimum requirements for space, but is it in the best interest of the animal? From my own personal experience, I keep a fairly small adult corn snake(he's 4 years old but only reached about 3 1/2 feet long) in a 40 gallon tank and he uses the entire floor space, plus all of the available climbing area. In fact, I've been trying to add more climbing branches, to maximize the 3 dimensional space at his disposal.

Every night, I see him roaming around. I'm sure it's just part of his natural instinct to search for prey, but it makes me wonder about the animals kept in enclosures that don't allow them to exercise this instinct. It's a bit of a jump, but my dogs get frustrated when they aren't able to play and exercise their natural prey drive. Aside from the concerns about a lack of exercise, is it possible that spacial restrictions can cause similar stress for captive snakes? Or do you think minimum sized enclosures are an acceptable and efficient way of keeping snakes?

[Mikoh4792]

Well they can certainly breed and thrive with "minimal" requirements however I do think more room to move would benefit a snake's fitness and mental health... but I'm no scientist with results so it's just my own speculation.

[CosmicOwl]

Well they can certainly breed and thrive with "minimal" requirements however I do think more room to move would benefit a snake's fitness and mental health... but I'm no scientist with results so it's just my own speculation.

I'm sure that certain snakes would thrive in different sized enclosures. Ambush predators would probably be fine in proportionally smaller housing. On the other hand, corn snakes and other rat snakes are active hunters. In would be interesting to see if being able to simulate the search for prey had any impact on the snake's temperament.

It's purely subjective, but the snake I used as an example is also probably the nicest snake I have ever met. He has never postured, hissed or struck at me. He's totally calm and relaxed while being held, and comes right to my hand when I place it in his enclosure. I've also always kept him in an enclosure that was double the recommended size. I realize the correlation is not causation, but it is something interesting to ponder.

[Mikoh4792]

I'm sure that certain snakes would thrive in different sized enclosures. Ambush predators would probably be fine in proportionally smaller housing. On the other hand, corn snakes and other rat snakes are active hunters. In would be interesting to see if being able to simulate the search for prey had any impact on the snake's temperament.

It's purely subjective, but the snake I used as an example is also probably the nicest snake I have ever met. He has never postured, hissed or struck at me. He's totally calm and relaxed while being held, and comes right to my hand when I place it in his enclosure. I've also always kept him in an enclosure that was double the recommended size. I realize the correlation is not causation, but it is something interesting to ponder.

Take a look at this grey rat snakes enclosure. I'm sure all this space for moving and climbing is "better" for it's psyche than your average household enclosure that people usually give these large active colubrids.

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[CosmicOwl]

Considering the large cages some people devote to pythons and boas, a 4x4x4 enclosure for a large, active colubrid seems pretty reasonable.

[Lankyrob]

My personal view os that each animal should be given the largest space you can efficiently provide the correct conditions in. With the right amount of money and space i would have no enclosure smaller than 6x4x3 for any species of snake and 8x4x4 for any lizard.

[formica]

agree with the above, as much space as you can offer. I like the legal minimum in some EU countries, width of the enclosure should be no less than the length of the snake, and the height and depth should be more than 1/2 the length of the snake...compared to the way many snakes are kept, in tubs for all their lives, its really no wonder there is so much opposition to the reptile trade