Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What substrate and temp would you recommend for a mojave rattlesnake? Also, what type of cage would be best to prevent escaping? Where is the best place to get a cage for a venomoid? Is there anything else I should know to keep a mojave? Would a water source be required?

For ease of maintanance, mojaves can be kept on newspaper substrate...if you want to go decorative, you can use pretty much anything besides cedar wood, etc. that is toxic to reptiles. There is no special caging for a venomoid...an ideal cage would be one that had a sliding glass front and was sealed on all other sides with the exception of vents. Don't forget locks for extra security. Oh, and on the subject of venomoids, don't get one...if you don't feel confident enough to keep a venomous snake with the venom, then consider getting a non-venomous species...they are just as beautiful and won't kill you...

Actually, I want to keep a venomoid. Ive caught many mojaves out here and I feel comfortable with them. I just dont want an escape and Im not sure which brand of cage to use.

I hate to preach about the ethics of venomoids, but i can't help it...unless you're using it for educational purposes where a "hot" snake wouldn't be safe, you shouldn't be keeping a venomoid...if you can't deal with keeping a venomous snake WITH it's venom, then you should find a different snake to keep (non-venomous)...chopping up snakes doesn't benefit anyone and if you're not confident enough to keep a mojave with it's venom then you shouldn't keep one at all...there is a lot of evidence to show that rattlersnakes and pitvipers in general do not deal with venomoid surgery as well as elapids do, so you might end up killing the poor thing....keep a copperhead if you think there is a chance you'll be bit, and stay away from the DEADLY mojave...as for cages, if you have to ask this question (how secure a cage do i need?) then you definately shouldn't be keeping a mojave, or any venomous for that matter.

I never said anything about surgery. I have no problem with hots, I handle them in the wild all the time. I would like to keep one but have yet to do so because just about every colubrid Ive kept has escaped, and Id like to avoid that. In fact, Id like a whole new set of escape-proof caging for my non venomous collection.