Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello! I have an adult corn snake and a 55 gallon tank. I'd like to make it a really nifty setup, with plants and all that kind of stuff you see in the more tropical vivariums, like with frogs and newts. But I haven't been able to find information as to whether or not this is a good idea. Would dirt be detrimental to his health? What plants are safe to use with the snake? Would it be too humid for him?

Thanks so much!

Julie

*ahem* Understand that I don't intend to mix animals at all - the corn snake is the only critter that will be in there. After I re-read my message I realized it might have come across that I wanted to include other animals, but this is not the case. I meant only that I have seen attractive vivarium/terrarium setups for other animals, but not for corn snakes.

Sorry if there was any confusion!

Julie

and send me an email if you would like more info, I'm a strong proponent of naturalistis cages, even for snakes. There are plenty of plants that would do well with a corn snake.
Paul

Wow, your cage looks awesome! Puts my little dinky tanks to shame! But what a model to strive for!

I bought a bunch of stuff for the little one's cage as an experiment. (In addition to the adult corn in the 55 gallon, I have a baby corn in a 10 gallon.) I'll try to put a picture up soon. Over a thick layer of substrate, I put a bunch of moss-type stuff from this forest decorator kit from Petco. It was actually a pretty nifty kit. I haven't heard anything about it before, so I hope it's an alright thing to use. It looks pretty nifty! I also put in one of those bendable vines, twisted together with some plastic ivy twisted over it. Add in a large stone dish buried nearly to its lip in moss and substrate, and it looks like a forest floor. For my first venture into naturalistic snake environments, I think it turned out well! I hope she will still be visible, with all her new hiding spots. Soon I'll start in on the big cage, which will be more elaborate. Maybe with a waterfall.

I'd love to hear more about other naturalistic environments people have made, hear their theories about what works and what doesn't. Aida's cage is much more eye-catching and fun to look at now that it's natural looking. What a fun facet to the hobby!

Decorator Kit:
From Petco