Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I currently keep Pueblans in 28 qt Sterlite tubs and was wanting to know what everyone else keeps theirs in and will this size work for breeding or would a larger tub be useful.
Thanks!

I think that is the standard size for most mid sized colubrids and the size I use for most of my corns and kings. However, I do follow the old rule that length plus width should equal the maximum length of the snake to be kept in that cage. A 28 qt. or similar sized box is generally 24 inches long by 17 inches wide. So, I would only house a snake up to 41 inches in a box that size. Ok, maybe a four footer, but certainly no bigger. So, if any of my kings or corns exceed 4 feet, they get moved into a bigger floor sized box/cage like a 41 qt. or something with three foot x two foot base size or bigger if need be. Most puebs are only about 36 inches long, so a 28 qt. box should be more than fine. Of course, there are some folks who arque bigger is better in all cases!!

Based on my own experiences, I agree with Kevin. I tried some of my 30-36 inch pueblans and hondurans in 41 qt. tubs and most of them refused to come out of their hides and became problem feeders, even those who fed well previously.
I moved most of them to 28 qt. tubs and almost all showed improved feeding response and more activity. I kept a few of the larger ones in the bigger tubs and they eventually "grew into them."
On a related note, I have a ball python that gave me fits for four years. He suddenly became a problem feeder after reaching maturity (48". I housed him in both a 55 gallon aquarium and a large plastic tub that was about 16" tall. He would only eat about once every 4 months (sometimes longer). He had no other symptoms of any disease. Knowing BPs could be stubborn feeders, I just held my breath and watched for any other signs. He lost some weight during this period, but grew 4 inches in length.
When cleaning cages one day I decided to try an experiment. Since the footprint of a 41 qt. tub was about the same as the taller tub I had been keeping him in, I would move him to that and see what happened. It worked! I offered food after about a week and he took it. Since then I've been offering food every 3 weeks or so and he has taken all but one meal. He's put on weight and I've noticed his skin is brighter and clearer. It looks like the height of the tub may have been stressing him out.
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I refrained from posting my lengthy treatises on this subject, but you have some great observations.

I experimented years ago with Cal kings, Sinaloans, Pueblans and rosyboas in large cages. What I saw was in line with what you experienced. See below.

1. Pueblans - in large cages, more flighty, nearly always hidden, fed well but often had to be hidden while feeding or fed at night. Moved to 10 gal tanks where their choices to hide were limited - less flighty, fed anytime out in the open. BTW, my Puebs seemed to come alive more with lots of ventilation, even though they stayed in PVC pipe or moss almost always. In plastic boxes with lids, there was less "enthusiasm". I wonder if being that plastic all the time does something. Put your head in one and smell - not good.

2. Cal kings - in large cages did great! Acted the same whether in large cage or small cage. Used all of the cage. Fun to try.

3. Sinaloans - more like the Cal kings in that large cages did not make them more shy or flighty. Did great in large cages, and I would keep them in nothing less anymore.

4. Rosyboas - Did OK if raised up in large quarters, but did best in the smallest, tightest cages I could morally allow myself to subject them to. If I took an adult from a 10 gal tank and moved it to a big cage, almost instant "depression" set in. And when I would move said snake back to a small cage, it would be "happy" and feed again eagerly. If I moved an adult from one small cage (like a glass tank) to something like a plastic box of similar floor space, snake was fine. Vice versa too. I tried other things, such as a large cage with many hides, but in conclusion, rosies at my house did best in small cages where about 1/3 of the cage was heated. In small cages, they would stay in the open (not much choice). In large cages, they would hide like a milksnake. My best success at breeding rosies and raising babies was in glass tanks anywhere from 2 1/2 gal to 10 gal. What it is about glass I do not know - perhaps the good ventilation and cool side being cool (as opposed to a plastc box where the plastic holds heat in better). Not sure.
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Mark

I like your observations between not just cage size, but cage material!! Makes me wonder if the more inert nature of glass my be beneficial in general for overall wellbeing of the animals? Also the much cooler feel of the glass being more pleasing than the warmer feel of the plastic in general. Like laying on a cool tile floor as opposed to the carpet when you feel a bit closed in and want to cool off a bit sometimes. Plastics do have phthlates and other organic and semiorganic chemicals that will leach from the plastic over time and with general degradation of the material. Not so with glass, which is completely inorganic in nature (silicon dioxide, just like most sand. Most glass cages designed for herps are lighter than comparable sized aquariums designed for fish due to the thickness of the glass being thinner because of lack of water pressure. Also why they advertise not to fill with water LOL!! Still, not as light and forgiving as the plastic when you have to hoof a dozen plus outside at any given time to clean!!! Honestly, I think thats the only plus for the plastic containers as keeping snakes in glass terraria is more pleasing IMO.

Thanks. Yeah, couldn't tell you if the material made the difference or ventilation or temperature range. I am using glass tanks more and more, although in Winter they go into plastic boxes - easier to stack.

Thin-skinned snakes like milksnakes are easier to keep in plastic boxes because they hold humidity better. But snakes like Cal kings and rosies seem to do great in well-ventilated glass cages. I'll keep on trying things and seeing what happens.
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Mark

>>3. Sinaloans - more like the Cal kings in that large cages did not make them more shy or flighty. Did great in large cages, and I would keep them in nothing less anymore.

I had same thing happen with Nelsons I kept for years!

I keep mine in 28qts also, and some in 3' home made cages. I have no problems with either, although for breeding purposes the 3' is preferred just to watch the chase and to let em stretch out a bit.

When egg laying time approaches a smaller nesting box is placed in either cage.

Mike