Excellent question. I will give you some of my experiences.

Kept hogs as a kid in 10 and 20 gallon screen topped containers with no trouble , however wasn't breeding.

In the early 2000's I was keeping lots of Hognose so space saving was necessary. Went with sterile tubs with locking tops.

Visually these were basic and non esthetic.

In 2003 I purchased my first rack.

Lots of thought and time for myself was given to why breeding was limited in my collection.

I still have no problem with rack systems as long as the snakes basic needs are met.

In the late 2000's I was researching info on how reptiles thermo regulate in the wild. Came across info from the merkers that detailed how they studied crotaphytus and moist hides were provided. I could concur as most crotaphytus hides in the wild were the same way. At that point, I decided to provide moist lay boxes for all my hogs.

Recently I acquired some old lizard lounges and set them up for my hogs.

I fashioned them after some i had seen online in the uk. They have artificial

Plants as hogs will unroot live plants. I also have UVB lighting on the tank and notice them bask a lot. The hides are placed on the cool end. The warm end is set with helix controlled tape at 98 degrees. Ambient temps are set at 80 to 85.

The base bedding is sani chips with coco bark mixed in. I layer the top with oak leaves for extra depth and to add to the look. I routinely add water to a certain corner to dampen the substrate although they primarily have a basking spot on the open on cool side, a spot near heat tape for heat and utilize the moist hide extensively. The hides have moist,tightly packed long stemmed sphagnum.

I like the look of the setups and can observe them at any time. I also have my racks set up the same without the basking lamps.



I would def consider it.



Hope this helps.
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Thank you,

Kevin Rhodes





http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc314/lifesciences/?action=view�t=09-09hognose001.jpg

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