Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Alright, I've been considering a few snakes and I was wondering what size cage I should get them as full size adults.

I've been looking at blue beauties, radiated rats, tiger rats, and chinese king rats.

The cage I'm considering, for the future, is a 260 gallon basic Reptarium. It's 29" x 29" x 72".

Is that big enough?

Thanks!

Also, might as well ask, if I got this cage type and oriented it vertically, how would I properly heat it? Would it be best to use a heat lamp on top, or a pad on bottom, or both?

Keeping the humidity at the proper level might be difficult also. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Couple questions for you. Why not build? It will probably end up right around the same price as getting a 260 gallon tank. Read over on the thread called "Blue Beauties" where i'm geting help on mine...that will give you some good ideas on those. by the way, are these going to be your first snakes or have you been keeping for a while?
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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

Battling ignorance one stupid person at a time.

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat(Lola)
1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds ("Bill" and "The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo" )

Actually, they're going to be my first snakes.

At first I wasn't sure if they would make good starter snakes, but everyone I've talked to has said if I put the time in research then they won't be any problem.

The only worries I have are their health. From what I've heard, they're no more trouble to take care of than a rat snake. Handling isn't a problem, that's what I do. I work in a herp lab at Purdue University. I've just never kept snakes myself. So I deal with fairly large, WC specimens that aren't usually very happy for being plucked from their hiding spot.

Also, as far as building is concerned, I probably won't build because I'm not too great with tools and shaping wood and the like. Never have been too great. I wouldn't trust a cage built by myself and I don't know too many people that build such things.