Has anyone out there tried setting up a naturalistic vivarium following the suggestions and guidelines as described in "The Art of Keeping Snakes" by Phillipe de Vosjoli? Last year I bought a 1-month-old female Honduran king and once she was adjusted and eating steadily, I followed the author's plan and put together a setup with active soil, a drainage layer and a layer for worms. It has live plants, petrified wood, volcanic rock and an interesting rock found in a mountain steam in Juneau, Alaska. The snake built a network of tunnels which lead to a little underground cavern. Being crepuscular she emerges at dawn and dusk. Her skin is glossy and she sheds beautifully. The author states that healthy soil with a good aerobic bacteria count will keep the snake from contracting blister disease. Of all my snakes, I would say she has developed the most natural of habits. It's working so well that I would like to have all my snakes set up in natural vivaria. Here and there I ask people I meet and I've yet to find one who has tried this, but I understand that it is quite common practice in Europe to construct these mini natural environments. Any thougts or ideas?

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• Naturalistic Vivarium - rosemilk, Thu Sep 22 23:58:22 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - deven, Sat Sep 24 16:49:25 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - Matt Campbell, Tue Sep 27 22:09:44 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - deven, Tue Sep 27 22:46:05 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - Matt Campbell, Tue Sep 27 23:21:38 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - deven, Tue Sep 27 23:35:22 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - Matt Campbell, Tue Sep 27 23:57:42 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - Deven, Wed Sep 28 01:18:54 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - Matt Campbell, Wed Sep 28 18:27:33 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - deven, Tue Sep 27 23:45:33 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - Matt Campbell, Wed Sep 28 00:12:25 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - Deven, Wed Sep 28 01:29:48 2005
• RE: Naturalistic Vivarium - rosemilk, Wed Sep 28 23:23:56 2005