I am interested in making a couple natural snake cages for each of my kingsnakes. I primarily keep and breed amphibians and have built many varieties of vivariums including a large desert style for a guy with pygmy rattlers. Anyway, I realize that most people go with a sterile or basic setup to ease cleaning and access to the snakes. You see an occasional natural design in a magazine or at the zoo but not that often otherwise.



I am still in the design stage but this most likely will be fully custom - wood (poplar) and plexi with hinged folding style doors for easy access, inset water dish, rocky forest style background, moderatly planted floor.



My questions are:

1. Has anyone used the standard techniques that dart froggers use to create a natural background and what were the cons? - such as with spray foam or quickrete and foam?



2. I realize that many snakes are burrowers but has anyone used a planted vivarium for their snakes? and if so, what substate did you use?



3. What are the smallest type of heating/light element that I will be able to find?



Thanks in advance for any input, advice, website referrals, or pics that anyone offers!

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