Questions on hognose and garter set ups

[Minkness]

First, I'd like to see more natural/realistic set ups that aren't quite bioactive. While I looooove Bioactive setups, it's just not practical for me right now.

These questions go for both types of snakes that I'm looking into, though unless I find a super nice Neon blue red sided garter, I will moat likely end up with a hoggie.

1. What is the best substrate other than aspen? I was thinking sand or eco earth (or a combo) and possibly upgrading to reptibark later. Why would these things be good, or bad?

2. I was originally thinking of getting a male but may consider a female as well. What are good sized tanks for their adult sizes?

3. I have heard that plants ate good for any snake, but it is hard to maintain them. I was thinking of using planted succulents in small pots instead of planted directly into the substrate. Would this work? What are some good ones? What about bamboo?

4. Cork bark and rounds are lovely but a bit expensive. What are some other good climbing things that aren't so expensive? Would it be ok to use sticks I find outside? If I do, how can I 'sanitize ' them? I have heard that baking wood is a good way, but are there others?

5. Are 'rough' textured items needed to aid in shedding? If so, what are some good things to include?

Again, I am looking for more a more natural set up and plan on using a front opening enclosure, not a tub.

Thanks bunches!

[Minkness]

Bump

Anyone?

[Kuamata]

My knowledge is only on hognoses, so...

1. As long as you feed on a flat surface (to avoid ingesting substrate) and the substrate doesn't hold humidity too well, you should be fine.

2. Always heard a 20L fits them just fine, but I'd probably go with a little bit bigger dimensions just to be sure... but that's just me.

3. I'm horrible with plants, my advise would probably kill a plant lol.

4. I was not aware that hognoses climb? I've always known them to be terrestial, often burrowing, rather than semi-arboreal.

5. Natural rocks could work well for this, or decorations that have a rough texture so they can rub on it and work the shed off.

[wrecker45]

20141201_231243.jpg
The bottom ones have my Hoggies in them. Top right Checker Garters. Top left Mexican Milksnake. All my snakes are on repitibark.

[Minkness]

Nice sets!

[wrecker45]

Im switching to all p.c.v. cages.

[Minkness]

Sounds expensive!

[Derek1]

On my garter and hog I'm using about a 60/40 mix of organic soil and play sand. With some ecoearth I had left over. Working great so far. My hog borrows in it no problem and I see him popping up in different spots all the time. The plant I use is Pothos. You can get them at Walmart for like $3. Easy to grow with little to no maintenance. My hog doesn't climb on limbs and such. I got some Malaysian drift wood ( I Believe is the name) off of Amazon. You can also use drift would you find on lake shores and in creeks.

You might look at the Valley's Garter. That's what I went with. Has great color and much less expensive than the neon. But the neon is awesome. Google Don's Garter Snakes. That's were I got mine. They also do very well on ambient temps. I don't use and UTH. His temp is upper 70's to low 80's and he does very well. Very active and an will eat worms/silver side fish and pinky parts.

[Obsidian_Dragon]

I use ecoearth for both my snakes. It's nice for them to burrow in.

I've totally just grabbed sticks from outside! You can bake them or I submerged them in hot water/vinegar for awhile. Both my garter and my king climb when the whim strikes them. A hoggie might climb--after all, rosy boas are supposed to be terrestrial/burrowing snakes and I've seen more than one picture of them up in places they "shouldn't" be. I like to offer the opportunity, anyway. You can also drape plants over any climbing branches offered and offer more hiding places that way.

I usually have a rock or two in there to provide a rough surface to help with shedding.

[Minkness]

Thanks guys!

[pdomensis]

With smaller snakes like hoggies and garters, most potted house plants should survive just fine. I would make sure the pots have a drainage layer and have a dish underneath. Overflowed and ponding water in your tank will create mold in your bedding. Be mindful of the light requirement of the plant. If you don't plan to run a fluorescent in the cage, I would suggest focusing on low-light species. Most succulents don't fit this category. I recently picked up a Lycopodium that I really like. Pothos are also popular.

[Minkness]

Well, I can add a florecent no problem. I was actually considering a bonsai tree eventually lol.

Going to wait for summer and see what the nursery down the road has.

[Jrich]

I don't know what kind of hognose you're getting but my tri colored always climbed around on his low branches. It was quite comical because I always thought he would be burrowed away.

[Minkness]

Lol! Cute! I'll be looking at a western. No particular color or gender. Will be looking more at personality and cost first, color 2nd, then gender lol.

[Jrich]

Good plan. I saw some albino westerns at this expo I went too. Very cool......very expensive :S make sure to post pics whenever you get your hoggie!!