Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my cal king for 4 years and decided to upgrade to a natural vivaruim if I can make it work. I have a 40gal breeder tank that I will be using. I will be gone for two years and need something that can be low maintenance for my family and thought if I had a little ecosystem it could basically be left alone for that long and be more natural for my snake and make her happier. Any ideas/advice for a basic startup would be greatly appreciated.

If your going to be gone for 2 years, and your family will be taking care of your snake, you might want to make it easier for them. A natural vivarium will probably be more upkeep than just a basic setup. Snakes really don't need a whole heck of allot to be happy. If they have clean fresh water, a clean enclosure, and a meal every 10 days or so, some warmth, and a couple of hides, they should be fine. Will your family be handling your snake occasionally? If your snake goes 2 years without being handled, it may not be as tame when you get back. Your snake should be fine if your family gives it its basic needs and handle it once in awhile. Good Luck, Derek

I really hope your family cares as much about your snake as you do. Otherwise, if they are afraid to go near the tank your snake will not get food and water, and 2 years is just a little long to go without some type of cage cleanup. The smell alone after 2 years would be enough to drive you out of the house.

Do yourself (and your snake) a favor and just set up a good environment for your snake, use a highly absorbant substrate (carefresh) that is easily spot cleaned and or replaced, give it a couple of hiding spots (hot and cold), a water bowl (oversized so if it's forgotten it can go longer between waterings).

It all depends on how much involvement your family is willing to supply your snakes needs. If they are cool about it and like snakes, no problem. If they are among those that find snakes "icky" then you will have problems.

Best of luck.
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I really echo what the other two posters have said. The easier the set-up is to maintain, the higher the likelihood that your family members will deal with your animal’s care. Set the snake up on some type of plain paper substrate or aspen product that is easy to keep clean. That kingsnake would do fine being fed once a month, with the resulting cleanup not being onerous for your family. And you know from the snake’s point of view, it’s got to be “happy” to have a two year vacation from as much human contact as it has now.

-Joan

>>I have had my cal king for 4 years and decided to upgrade to a natural vivaruim if I can make it work. I have a 40gal breeder tank that I will be using. I will be gone for two years and need something that can be low maintenance for my family and thought if I had a little ecosystem it could basically be left alone for that long and be more natural for my snake and make her happier. Any ideas/advice for a basic startup would be greatly appreciated.