Housing Your Pet Snake

What type of cage does my snake require?
Smaller juvenile pets often do well in a 10 or 20 gallon aquarium, or even plastic shoeboxes (cut small air holes!). As your snake grows, he must be moved to more comfortable enclosures. These can often be purchased or built by the pet owner.  Your veterinarian or pet store may have examples of these larger enclosures to give you an idea of the proper habitat for an adult snake.

Does my snake need bedding in his cage?
Substrate, or bedding material, should be easy to clean and nontoxic to the snake.  Newspaper, butcher paper, towels, or preferably Astroturf is recommended.  When using Astroturf, buy two pieces and cut them to fit the bottom of the cage.  With two pieces, one is placed in the cage and one is kept outside the cage and is always clean. When the turf inside the cage becomes soiled, you'll always have a clean, dry piece to replace it.  Clean the soiled turf with ordinary soap and water (avoid harsher products unless your reptile veterinarian approves them), thoroughly rinse it, and hang it to dry to be used at the next cage cleaning.

AVOID sand, gravel, wood shavings, corn cob material, walnut shells, and cat litter, as these are not only difficult to clean but can cause impaction if eaten on purpose or accidentally should the food become covered by these substrates.  Cedar wood shavings are toxic to reptiles!

What else do I need in the cage?
Natural branches are enjoyed by the snake.  Make sure they are secure and won't fall onto the snake and injure it.  Ideally, the branch should slope from the bottom of the enclosure to the top and end near a heat source so the snake can bask.  Rocks (large ones) in the cage also allow for basking.  A hiding place is appreciated by all reptiles and should be available.  Artificial plants can be arranged to provide a hiding place, as can clay pots, cardboard boxes, and other containers that provide a secure area.

A heat source is necessary for all reptiles, which are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and need a range of temperatures to regulate their internal body temperature.  Ideally, the cage should be set up so that a heat gradient is established, with one area of the tank warmer than the other end.  In this way, the snake can move around its environment and warm or cool itself as needed. Purchase two thermometers and place one at the cooler end of the cage and one at the warmer end near the heat source.  The cooler end of the cage should be approximately 70 o -75 o F (21 o - 24 o C), while the warmer end should be 90 o -95 o F (32 o -38 o C).  An inexpensive way to do this is to supply a focal heat source using a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a reflector hood, although pet stores sell other types of heat lamps.  Your heat source should be placed OUTSIDE and above one end of the cage, which should be covered by a screen top to prevent the snake from escaping or burning itself on the bulb.  At night, heat is not necessary as long as the temperature remains at 65 o –70 o F (18 o -21 o C).

Heating pads can also be used for warmth; speak with your veterinarian to learn the correct way to use them if you choose this form of heating.

"Hot Rocks" or "Sizzle Rocks" are dangerous, ineffective, and should be avoided! 

What about UV light?
While UV light is necessary to provide Vitamin D-3 for most reptiles, veterinarians are divided about the need for UV light for snakes.  This is because snakes consume whole prey as the diet, and the prey is "nutritionally balanced" for snakes.  However, providing UV light would not be harmful and may be beneficial, so it would probably be wise to provide some type of UV light such as a Vita-Lite.  Speak with your veterinarian about their feelings regarding the need for UV light for your snake.
 

This client information sheet is based on material written by Rick Axelson, DVM & Shawn Messonnier, DVM
© Copyright 2005 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. January 17, 2014