Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have heard that captive snakes grow only to what the enclosure will let them grow to. I was wondering how true this is.

I just aquired a 3 foot gopher snake and want him to grow as big as he can. I need to know what size of enclosure would be adequate for the snake to reach its potential full grown size.

Thanks

>>I have heard that captive snakes grow only to what the enclosure will let them grow to. I was wondering how true this is.

A myth, used by pet and aquarium shop employees to make a sale to someone who can't really offord a proper enclosure for the animal they want.

>>I just aquired a 3 foot gopher snake and want him to grow as big as he can. I need to know what size of enclosure would be adequate for the snake to reach its potential full grown size.

The enclosure size won't effect his growth except possibly indirectly by making him too stressed to eat if it's too small (or in some cases too big). I'd think something around 4 feet long. Height won't matter much. Temps and humidity will be more important, and I don't have that much expeience with gophers, so others can probably give you better info.

Thanks Larry, I was looking at an enclosure that's 39" long, 21" high, and 21" wide.

All I have it in now is a 20 gal. aquarium.

KC,
I would go with a 4-5 foot cage. Keep in mind that colubrids need to be able to stretch out to avoid respiratory problems.

Also, a plastic dishpan with a hole cut in the bottom, placed upside down in the enclosure, makes a terrific hide/burrow. My two adult bull snakes love their "burrows" when not cruising the cage. I often walk into the herp room to see pit faces barely peeping out of the entrance holes.

My sonoran gopher, who is smaller, has a shoe box with a hole cut in the lid that he uses the same way--only difference is that I put some aspen substrate in the bottom of the box, and pile it up the sides to make him feel secure. It won't be long before he'll be big enough for his own dishpan/burrow.

Gopher snakes are fascinating animals. Best of luck with yours.
rgds,
althea

Thanks for the advice althea. I will try to find a 4-5 foot enclosure. If you know where I can find one online or can send me a link to one, I would appreciate it.

Thanks again.