Enclosure Question

[HtotheB]

Right now I'm preparing to purchase the enclosure for the hognose that I am getting. I am debating whether or not to get a glass reptile aquarium (with ventilation and screen top), or to use a tupperware container like those pictured in the post below. I am leaning towards getting the glass tank for aesthetic reasons - however my budget is not going to withstand getting a small tank for when the snake is juvenile, and then upgrading to something larger not far down the road. So my main question - is it plausible to get a larger glass tank and partition it in half or 1/3 the length for when the snake is young, and then remove the partitions as it grows?

I don't have much experience with the heat gradients needed in a snake enclosure, or the proper management of humidity levels inside the tank. Maybe one of you could give me some tips for getting things right the first time around.

thanks,

Andrew

[marisa]

If I was you I would purchase a rubbermaid for the snake until you can get what you want. For one, the rubbermaid will cost you under ten bucks if its a hatchling hog. For two, it most likely will be comfortable in the rubbermaid for at least half a year if not the full year depending on size.

This will give you time to decide on his permanent home. You can save up for the tank you want, or you may decide to just purchase him a larger rubbermiad. Either way in the end you are only out 5-15 bucks on his original enclosure when he is ready to upgrade.

Marisa

[HtotheB]

So around a 5 gallon tub, or something even smaller than that? It baffles me that snakes feel more secure in a smaller enclosures. I always had this idea if he was in a nice big tank with lots of hiding spots and sufficiently deep substrate to burrow in, what could he possibly be stressed about :P Ah well!

[marisa]

Yeah it is hard to accept that some species do like smaller enclosures...I am not a hognose keeper and I have never had one but I seem to remember they are also a shy species. In any case, a rubbermaid will at least save you the expense and then you can upgrade to whatever you want.

A nice big tank would be fine for some. Although you can be sure yours won't be one of the ones who will be stressed by it. If you are buying an adult though, thats a different story.

If you are purchasing a hatchling then a small 5-10 gallon rubbermaid will serve your purpose for quite some time. Gives you some extra time and extra money to have for making his permanent home something really special!

Marisa

[HtotheB]

Would you say that 2 undertank heating pads are needed to keep both sides stable, or should the cooler side take care of itself in the summer?

[Big Mike]

You want your UTH to cover about 1/3 of the floor space of the enclosure. Measure the temp right over where the UTH is and adjust it to the optimum temp for your snake. In most cases you will not need any heat on the cool side. Measure the temp to be sure that it's not too hot or too cold but the important thing is to provide the proper temp for the warm side and make sure that the other side is cooler than that. You have to give the snake some options when it comes to temperature. It helps to have hides in at least two different temp zones so that the snake will not have to choose between being warm/cool and feeling safe and secure.

Also, as long as you have a good heat gradient and lots of places to hide, putting a young snake in a larger tank should be OK.

Good Luck

[Lisa]

We had to turn off all our heaters last summer, just too hot for the snakes. The trick was keeping them cool enough.

[HtotheB]

Did you have air conditioning where you were? We have air in the house, not sure of how much its going to be on or not, and how that will effect things.

andrew

[HtotheB]

Marisa,

I bought the same rubbermaid container that you have your bp in. I think that it will do nicely, at least until I figure out exactly the type and size of tank that I want.

[Lisa]

Originally posted by HtotheB
Did you have air conditioning where you were? We have air in the house, not sure of how much its going to be on or not, and how that will effect things.

andrew

We didn't have AC then, we were just north of toronto. This year we have AC, installed it a couple weeks ago. keeps the herproom at about 78-82 degrees. i want to put some ducting so that it pushes the hot air to the top of the room and sucks from the floor, it's just a window ac unit, but it's more then what's required for the room (~8'X10')

[HtotheB]

The exoterra hydrometer i have has the humidity reading around 65-75%. You think this is too much? I have around 15 small holes along each long side of the rubbermaid, and then 4 on the small sides, 6-8 on the lower half of the long side and then 9 small holes in the lid. Perhaps this isn't enough ventilation? Is it essential I cut a portion out of the lid and put a screened section for extra ventilation?

andrew