Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My two whitesideds and one of my Great Basins are outgrowing their rack-mounted drawers, so its getting to be time to move them up to a larger enclosure. All 3 are between 4 and 5 feet. The 2 whitesideds are 2 years old this year, so will probably keep on growing.

Would a 36" x 24" x 12" be large enough for them, even as adults? Or should I move on up to the 48" x 24" x 15 size?

thanks,
Cat
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My collection and herp photography

www.lowergroundreptiles.net

Hello Cat,

In my personal, and humble opinion, I would go with the 48" enclosures. To me, larger is always better when dealing with large colubrids, with the exception of neonates.
I maintain all of my neonates in shoe boxes, and progress to blanket tubs for the first two years.
Once my Pituophis reach two years, one year for my Drymarchon, they are transferred into their permanent enclosures 72" x 36" x 24" for the Pituophis and 96" x 48" x 24" for my Drymarchon.
Personally, I have incurred better growth rates, with Pituophis and Drymarchon, by transferring them into larger quarters at one (Drys) and two (Pits years of age.
I have also noticed increased growth rates, not to be confused with pushed or rushed growth, by starting both genus on rats as early as possible.
Best of luck to you regarding your new acqusitions. That amel looks very nice. While I have never been a color morph fan, I may have to acquire one of those at some point.

Best regards,

Jeff

>>Hello Cat,
>>
>>In my personal, and humble opinion, I would go with the 48" enclosures. To me, larger is always better when dealing with large colubrids, with the exception of neonates.
>>I maintain all of my neonates in shoe boxes, and progress to blanket tubs for the first two years.
>>Once my Pituophis reach two years, one year for my Drymarchon, they are transferred into their permanent enclosures 72" x 36" x 24" for the Pituophis and 96" x 48" x 24" for my Drymarchon.
>>Personally, I have incurred better growth rates, with Pituophis and Drymarchon, by transferring them into larger quarters at one (Drys) and two (Pits years of age.
>>I have also noticed increased growth rates, not to be confused with pushed or rushed growth, by starting both genus on rats as early as possible.
>>Best of luck to you regarding your new acqusitions. That amel looks very nice. While I have never been a color morph fan, I may have to acquire one of those at some point.
>>
>>Best regards,
>>
>>Jeff

Thanks for the response! Some snakes (especially kenyan sand boas) I know do better in smaller enclosures, but as I've only owned Pituophis for a few months now, I wasn't sure about them. I'll look into the 48" enclosures.

I've also noticed that my bulls and gophers have grown quickly on their diet of rats.

-cat
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My collection and herp photography

www.lowergroundreptiles.net

The world as we know it is indeed on its last leg, Jeff you have finally admitted to being tempted by a color morph. Good job everyone we have got him now! LOL.

On a more serious side, I agree with Jeff on the size thing to an extent, the largest cage we use is a 60"x30"x18" neodesha cage for our largest pits and they appear to do just fine. Most are in 48" or smaller though. But I would go with the larger cage if I were you.

John Cherry
Cherryville Farms
Cherryville Farms - Reptiles

I guess you're right John,

I suppose it’s about time I quit this silly rebellion of mine, regarding color morphs, especially in regards to Pituophis.
Now I will absolutely draw the line with my Drys! The day people start trying to produce and market color morph Drymarchon, will be the day I retire my collection and stick to academic and field studies only.
Oh well, sometimes I do wonder what a leucistic or amelanistic D. c couperi would look like, but don’t tell anyone I said that!

Jeff