Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone have information about caring for a juvenile Crotalus Atrox? I'm keeping him in a ten gallon tank (yes, sealed on top) and feeding him pinkies. He seems to be doing fine. Just wondering if anyone has any specific advice.

They are def. not difficult captives (except for the biting part). Sounds like you just need a HOT (Basking) Spot. Use a clamp-on dome light w/ the appropriate sized (I use red or blue) bulb or 3", 4", or one foot of 12" heat tape to heat up one side (about 1/4 of the cage floor) to 88 - 94 degrees. You can buy an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer for about $10 @ a Wally-world to give you an idea of what wattage of bulb to use or you can use the sensor probe to dial in the correct temp. on the heat tape using a dimmer switch or thermostat.

I agree and would like to add one more thing. Even though you mentioned that your 10 gallon tank is "sealed" (have no idea what that means), a glass tank is really not a suitable cage for a venomous snake UNLESS it has a specially constructed top that is somehow affixed to the tank itself and has a hinge and clasp so that the tank can be locked (if that's what you have then fantastic). That is very difficult to do with standard glass tanks. Instead, I would highly recommend that you consider either purchasing a quality snake cage and make sure that if you get a cage with sliding front glass doors that you get some sort of stripping to plug the gap to prevent an escape; easily done, Or, have the "sealed" 10 gallon tank inside a larger reptile cage that can then be locked; this accomplishes the same thing. Just something to think about. Hopefully you have your own supply of antivenin (but I doubt it).

>>They are def. not difficult captives (except for the biting part). Sounds like you just need a HOT (Basking) Spot. Use a clamp-on dome light w/ the appropriate sized (I use red or blue) bulb or 3", 4", or one foot of 12" heat tape to heat up one side (about 1/4 of the cage floor) to 88 - 94 degrees. You can buy an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer for about $10 @ a Wally-world to give you an idea of what wattage of bulb to use or you can use the sensor probe to dial in the correct temp. on the heat tape using a dimmer switch or thermostat.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Don't forget the Epi-pens!!

The top of this tank is specially constructed with two locking hinges. Just to make sure, I duck taped the top down.

This is a tank with a top that is hinged down. I also used duck tape to make sure the top is secure.