Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I'm planning on buying a kingsnake for my first snake (you can read more about that here http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1071228,1071228), specifically Lampropeltis getula nigritus. I've done quite a bit of reading on housing, etc. and I wanted to know if this would be sufficent.

What I have in mind :

* Large sweater box for the enclosure, such as http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?PRODID=62430&CATID=71227&searchId=3942252&itemIndex=8 or http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?PRODID=62422&CATID=77537&searchId=3942252&itemIndex=1 with the most of the lid cut out and replaced with screen and some holes drilled in the sides of the box for ventilation.

* Heating pad underneath about 1/3 of the enclosure and a thermostat to control the temperature.

* A few inches of aspen shavings for substrate with a piece of newspaper to feed on.

* Hide box on either side of the enclosure.

* Large water dish.

* A branch or a PVC pipe about about half of the way up, attached wall-to-wall for climbing.

Think this will be sufficient? Any tips would be great.

Thanks,
Andrew

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Theraphosids
0.0.1 Avicularia avicularia
0.1.1 Pterinochilus murinus

I don't use uth or any light/heat source except natural sunlight for a photo period.I'm not knocking it, I just don't use it. My snakes are all in a controlled a/c'd room with the temp at 78 but my burrowers get more aspen and a small hide and are on the side of the room that gets less light.My specks get a moist hide. Only my rat snakes get a branch but everyone gets a rock for shedding purposes and a medium water bowl. Just how I do it. I keep mostly wild caught, so most of their hides are a piece of bark from their capture site, with a handful of soil from the capture point under the hide. I don't have to worry too much about contamination because they are w.c. and I only take healthy captives. I quarantine newly acquired c.b.'s from my collection in direct opposition to others' thoughts of confining w.c.'s from their captive bred. Keep the water clean and in supply!
Todd Hughes

Just found out that Lampropeltis getulus nigritus is now Lampropeltis getula nigrita. Well, I'm a little outdated.
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0.0.1 Avicularia avicularia
0.1.1 Pterinochilus murinus

why would u want a sweater box if you are not breeding and getting your first pet snake?