Outdoor Enclosure For Native Nerodia

[Sophia'sSophia]

After moving, I have to keep my water snakes in an outdoor enclosure.
Given adequate variables, they should do fine outside, as they're native to the area.

The only thing Im concerned about is substrate. I want to add a layer of soil beneath an insulative layer for burrowing in, but Im not sure how deep it should be. I can go up to 2 feet, but Im not sure if thats too much.

I haven't been able to find alot of information about this, so any tips, suggestions, or opinions are welcome.

[infernalis]

Hello and WELCOME.

Where are you located so I can determine the frost line depth.

I have a friend in Germany who built an outdoor enclosure for his Garter snakes, as well as a dutch enthusiast who did the same, So I have lot's of ideas for you.

Thamnophis and Nerodia both fall under the Natricine snake group, making their physiology and husbandry nearly identical.

But your local climate plays a huge role.

The closest determination I can make using your IP addy is in Georgia, I won't disclose anymore, unless you want to.

[alessia55]

Welcome! An outdoor enclosure sounds great. I can't help you with any details since I don't have experience building anything, but I'd be very interested to see photos as it comes along! :yes:

[stephanbakir]

Really interesting project!

[Kayla90]

Hmm.. interesting.. that would help give them a more natural feeling habitat..

[Sophia'sSophia]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! I'm so glad to see this forum is so active :)

@Infrernalis:

Georgia's kind of close, but more specifically, I live in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, as equally northern as the Alabama coast. I'd love to know how ground temperature would affect the enclosure, is frost depth one of many variables I should consider? When it comes to interaction between enclosure and ground, I've not found much to read... (for example, Ive yet to chose if it shall be raised, level, or sunk into the ground.)

I would love to hear about how your friends enclosures, if you'd like to share something about them. :D

@Everyone:

I'll try to photograph the process, in case a step-by-step would be a benefit for someone. :)

[millertime89]

this has me interested, can't wait to see what you decide and you go about it.

[stephanbakir]

Curious if you have a basement with a fireplace, its common in this area and you could always build your "den" underground close to the chimney escape thing, free wintertime heating.

[infernalis]

The frost line is the lowest depth of freezing in the winter, North American Colubrid species can handle near freezing, but cannot survive becoming completely frozen.

If frozen solid, The water molecules inside each cell will expand and rupture the cells causing death.

Up here in New york, The snakes brumate (Hibernate) in dens below the frost line to avoid becoming frozen solid (dead)

[Sophia'sSophia]

Turns out the frost depth is only 5 inches, around here. I think 18-24inches of soil mixture should be enough to keep the snakes safe from the cold. :) I feel much better about the winter months, knowing they're such hardy animals. Freezing to death is my main concern though! So thank you for all the information, Infernalis, I appreciate it.

@StephenBakir

That sounds like a pretty cool idea, could you elaborate some more? I couldn't use the idea, Im just curious. :)