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==Introduction to housing==

==Introduction to housing==

Captive husbandry of snakes presents several basic problems.  The biology of most free-living snakes has not been recorded and it may be impossible to match nature in a captive situation.  Improper husbandry is the most important cause of disease in snakes since it compromises a snake's immune system and leads to opportunistic infections.  Important aspects of snake husbandry include the cage environment, nutrition and water.

Captive husbandry of snakes presents several basic problems.  The biology of most free-living snakes has not been recorded and it may be impossible to match nature in a captive situation.  Improper husbandry is the most important cause of disease in snakes since it compromises a snake's immune system and leads to opportunistic infections.  Important aspects of snake husbandry include the cage environment, nutrition and water.

==Temperature==

==Temperature==

All snakes are ectothermic and each species has a  [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|preferred optimum temperature zone (POTZ)]].  The ambient cage temperature should be at the lower end of a POTZ.  The cage should also have a "hotspot" at the upper end of the POTZ so that a temperature gradient is established.  This is essential since it allows a snake to choose the temperature appropriate for its present metabolic state.  A night temperature drop of about 5°C is adequate.

All snakes are ectothermic and each species has a  [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|preferred optimum temperature zone (POTZ)]].  The ambient cage temperature should be at the lower end of a [[POTZ]].  The cage should also have a "hotspot" at the upper end of the [[POTZ]] so that a temperature gradient is established.  This is essential since it allows a snake to choose the temperature appropriate for its present metabolic state.  A night temperature drop of about 5°C is adequate.

*Sick reptiles tend to seek the area in the cage that is towards the high end of their POTZ

*Sick reptiles tend to seek the area in the cage that is towards the high end of their [[POTZ]]

*Snakes kept at suboptimal temperatures often regurgitate their food

*Snakes kept at suboptimal temperatures often regurgitate their food.  For more information on snake feeding, [[Snake Feeding|see here]].

==Heating==

==Heating==

==Lighting==

==Lighting==

Lighting requirements for captive snakes are ill-definied.  Snakes satisfy their vitamin D3 requirements from their diet but many species benefit from access to unfiltered sunlight (while still remaining withing their POTZ).  The length of photoperiod may be important for temperate species therefore timers are required for the lighting.

Lighting requirements for captive snakes are ill-defined.  Snakes satisfy their vitamin D3 requirements from their diet but many species benefit from access to unfiltered sunlight (while still remaining withing their POTZ).  The length of photoperiod may be important for temperate species therefore timers are required for the lighting.

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Inadequate humidity (e.g. excessive air conditioning) leads to stress, dehydration and dysecdysis.  Excessive humidity (e.g. inadequate cage ventilation) leads to skin infections.  A humidity chamber (a container filled with damp tissue paper) can be provided for ecdysis.  The problems associated with low humidity can sometimes be overcome by daily water baths for 1-2 hours.

Inadequate humidity (e.g. excessive air conditioning) leads to stress, dehydration and dysecdysis.  Excessive humidity (e.g. inadequate cage ventilation) leads to skin infections.  A humidity chamber (a container filled with damp tissue paper) can be provided for ecdysis.  The problems associated with low humidity can sometimes be overcome by daily water baths for 1-2 hours.

*Observation of shedding is a good way to judge the humidity since snakes should shed in one piece if the humidity is adequate

*Observation of shedding is a good way to judge the humidity since snakes should shed in one piece if the humidity is adequate

*Excessive humidity is frequently associated with dermatitis

*Excessive humidity is frequently associated with dermatitis.  For more information on snake shedding, [[Snake Shedding|see here]].

==Water==

==Water==

Clean fresh water in a bowl large enough to permit immersion/bathing should be available at all times and is essential for ecdysis.  At a mimimum the water should be changed and the bowl cleaned daily and preferably after the snake soaks.  The feeding area should not be adjacent to the water.  Some species require drip systems and spraying to accept water.  Many pit vipers will not drink from containers and emerald tree boas prefer to drink when water collects in their body coils following spraying.

Clean fresh water in a bowl large enough to permit immersion/bathing should be available at all times and is essential for [[Ecdysis|ecdydsis]] (and to prevent [[Dysecdysis|dysecdysis]].  At a mimimum the water should be changed and the bowl cleaned daily and preferably after the snake soaks.  The feeding area should not be adjacent to the water.  Some species require drip systems and spraying to accept water.  Many pit vipers will not drink from containers and emerald tree boas prefer to drink when water collects in their body coils following spraying.

Aquatic and semiaquatic species require special attention and water quality control is essential.  Ideally a filtration mechanism prevents the water from becoming stagnant.  Undergravel and sand filters should be used in addition to external filters.  Commercially available salts for marine fish tanks can be used for sea snakes and other marine snakes.

Aquatic and semiaquatic species require special attention and water quality control is essential.  Ideally a filtration mechanism prevents the water from becoming stagnant.  Undergravel and sand filters should be used in addition to external filters.  Commercially available salts for marine fish tanks can be used for sea snakes and other marine snakes.