Snake Cage Size
Mark Chapple
The size of a reptile’s enclosure is very important. This guide will help you to decide what size your enclosure should be, based on the adult size of your herp.
I know of one person who has made a home for their Burmese python in their basement. This is a great idea as this snake will get very large and will have ample room to move. Similarly I also know of cases where 7-8 ft snakes are kept in cages of 3ftx18in that are totally inadequate.
Snakes enclosures should be at least about 2/3 of the length of the snake, and ½ their length wide. While snakes do not need to stretch out fully, they do need to stretch enough to expand their lungs for proper respiration. Snake also shed regularly and they need room to be able to do this, as well as have objects in the cage that will enable them to catch their skin when shedding.
The snake cage also needs a temperature gradient. If a snake cage is too small it will not create a sufficiently broad temperature gradient that will allow the snake to remain fully at one end or the other, ie totally remain in the warm end or the cool end.
Snakes also need to be able to turn around properly in a cage. Snake also like to move around when they are ‘looking’ for food or even just moving around.
Juvenile snakes like too be kept in smaller cages as these are less threatening and stressful. It is a good idea to plan to have 2-3 changes in cage size as your snake grows from a juvenile snake to a small snake to larger snake. If you know your snake will continue to grow, you need to have an idea of the final cage size you will require.
The larger the cage, the more comfortable the snake, so make or get the largest enclosure you can afford that is suitable to where the herp will be housed.
Mark Chapple is the Author of "How to build enclosures
for reptiles"
Find out how to build these cages as well as arboreal cages.Full color pictures,
detailed diagrams and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.
http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com