Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I wanted opinions on what substrate and enclosures (type/sizes)that keepers prefer for hatchlinga and adult Zonata ? Thanks in advance

I keep my Zonata on Aspen shavings. They like to burrow in it.
I keep the hatchlings in shoebox size racks, my sub-adults in a 16"L X 12"W X 4"H sweaterboxes and adult pairs can be kept in 28qt. sweaterboxes. I also keep a deli cup full of damp sphagnum moss with a 1" hole drilled in the lid, and a bowl of fresh water. I hope this helps.
-Phil

Thanks PATTON...Much appreciated...One last question...do you also use the deli cup w/ the moss for the hatchlings also ? Thanks again !
Greg

I actually only use the deli cups for the hatchlings. I use Gladware food containers for the juveniles and adults. In the wild they have access to higher humidity under cover, so I try to provide something similar in captivity.
-Phil

Here's a link to where I get my sphagnum moss.
-Phil
Link

I also use a "humid-hide", but only after they go to a blue phase.
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1 Eastern Blue Tongue Skink
2 Tarahumara Mountain Kingsnakes - Knoblochi
1 Thayer's Kingsnake - Thayeri
2 Golden Greek Tortoises
1 Pyxie Frog - 14 years old

I find that they use it both during shed phase and in non-shed phase, so I leave it in their boxes at all times. That way they have access when they need it, not just when I offer it.
-Phil

I also use shredded aspen and spag moss. The only other I do is I sray the aspen with provent a mite when I first add it in. The ZooMed aspen I use comes with mites (wood mites I guess,you can see them in the water dish) and I just erridicate them at the begging.
Nick

If your substrate comes with mites, then its a GREAT idea to switch brnads or where you get it. I've been using aspen for over 10 years, I've never seen it come with mites, and if I did, that would be the last of that brand forsure. Also, if you see them in the water bowl-(thats normal for when your snakes have mites, you'll see them in water bowl) then theres a good chance your snakes have them too. The prevent mite might or porbably does help keep it down and not an infestation, but I would check all under the chin and all around the eys, those are some of the most common areas to see mites.
Jeff

I've seen some kind of mite in pine shavings that are direct from the factory and have never been in a pet store. They are not snake mites and do not get on the snakes at all. I think they are actually a type of wood lice and harmless and they will just die out on their own without any provent-a-mite.