I personally don't care for the critter keeper type cages for snakes as it's way to easy for them to escape from.

If it were me I would go with a 10 gallon, under tank heater on one end. The water bowl you have is fine. A screen lid and clips to secure it in place. I prefer the wide metal clips that slide under the frame of the screen and clip down firmly over the plastic trim on the tank. I don't like the metal ones shaped kind of like a C. They just aren't strong enough to hold in a determined snake.

Bedding of your choice, paper towels, newspaper or aspen all work well. Since your new little guy likes to burrow in his aspen that would be my choice. It's also easy to spot clean.

Tight fitting hides on each end, warm and cool. For a sense of security snakes tend to prefer hides where they can feel contact all over their body. These can be as simple at toilet paper or paper towel tubes. Flatten them a little and fold one end over. I also like the black plastic trays meats come in as I can cut them down to an appropriate size. The black bottom part of carry out trays also work well. Are they attractive, no but they are practical and easily cleaned or disposed of and replaced. Many of the commercial hides are just too big. Cereal boxes, small tissue boxes etc all work too.

Consider some kind of moist hide for shedding cycle. I use a lot of the "disposible" plastic lunch containers, gladware, take a longs and the like. Cut a hole in the lid and fill with orchid fiber or sphagnum moss that has be dampened but not wet. Either of these can be found in the garden department of your local home improvement center.

Finally 2 thermometers one to lay on the bedding on each end to monitor your temp gradient. Don't bother with the stick on kind as they will not give accurate information.

This setup will work for you now and be good for at least the first year you have you new snake.

A rock or two might also be nice to assist when it comes time for shedding.

I'm sure others will be along shortly with more suggestions.

Real pretty little guy you have there and welcome to the addiction.
-----
BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

[ Show Entire Thread ]