Posted by:
markg
at Thu Jan 28 12:46:38 2010 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by markg ]
Being that outdoor caging has been so successful with many types of lizards, one would think snakes would follow suit.
A few breeders have had great results using outdoor cages for diamond pythons. In tropical areas, it is normal for a cage to be outside when housing native animals. But in that case, the conditions outside are not very different from inside, so no real change.
One very successful breeder of colubrids had a neat outdoor "snake pit" with brick walls suitable for tortoises. He kept a San Diego gohpersnake in there for at least a year. Apparently the snake was able to tolerate Winter and Summer just fine, but he rarely saw the snake, and when he did, the attitude was extremely belligerent. He had to bring it in during heavy rain because the pit got too flooded. Not to mention food intended for the snake that probably went to ants and racoons instead. In the end, this person aborted the mission.
This isn't to discourage you. It is more so you can figure out what goal you have in mind. If it is just to keep it outside, it can work, but may introduce other difficulties that really have no value. If it is to see where the snake goes when it is hot or cold, that may be of value. But if you provide heating via heat pads, etc, then you might as well put it all inside and avoid the problems. Or do outdoor caging only in Summer and let the snake thermoregulate for itself. Provide soil at least 6 inches deep plus boards or other shelter. And watch for ants.
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Mark
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RE: Outside Caging - markg, Thu Jan 28 12:46:38 2010