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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 [[Snake Immune System|immune system]] and leads to opportunistic infections. Important aspects of [[:Category:Snake Husbandry|snake husbandry]] include the cage environment, [[Snake Diet|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 [[Snake Immune System|immune system]] and leads to opportunistic infections. Important aspects of [[:Category:Snake Husbandry|snake husbandry]] include the cage environment, [[Snake Diet|nutrition]] and water.
==Housing Considerations==
==Housing Considerations==
Considerations for cages include size, shape, security, ease of cleaning, ease of access and positioning.
Considerations for cages include size, shape, security, ease of cleaning, ease of access and positioning.
*Doors or lids need to be simple and give adequate access
*Doors or lids need to be simple and give adequate access
*Ideally cages should be placed against an interior wall and out of direct sunlight
*Ideally cages should be placed against an interior wall and out of direct sunlight
==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. For more information on snake feeding, [[Snake Feeding|see here]].
*Snakes kept at suboptimal temperatures often regurgitate their food. For more information on snake feeding, [[Snake Feeding|see here]].
==Heating==
==Heating==
The primary heat source can be central heating, heat tapes or radiant heat. A secondary heat source for a "hotspot" is then positioned at one end of the cage. Lights should not be used as heat sources since this will interfere with the photoperiod.
The primary heat source can be central heating, heat tapes or radiant heat. A secondary heat source for a "hotspot" is then positioned at one end of the cage. Lights should not be used as heat sources since this will interfere with the photoperiod.
*Snakes should not be able to come in contact with any bulbs, and hot rocks are not recommended because of the possibility of burns
*Snakes should not be able to come in contact with any bulbs, and hot rocks are not recommended because of the possibility of burns
*Monitoring of both maximum and minimum temperatures is essential and thermometers should be positioned in the cooler area and the basking area. Thermostats are useful to allow more accurate control of temperatures
*Monitoring of both maximum and minimum temperatures is essential and thermometers should be positioned in the cooler area and the basking area. Thermostats are useful to allow more accurate control of temperatures
==Lighting==
==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.
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.
Full-spectrum bulbs are sold with a numeric designation. 5.0 bulbs appear sufficient to stimulate the necessary previtamin D synthesis in lizards and are also considered suffifienct for snakes. Bulbs should be placed no further than 18 inches from the animal to ensure maximum UVB exposure. Glass refracts UVB radiation, and so glass lids are an inappropriate housing feature. Full-spectrum bulbs usually have an 8 to 14 month activity period.
Full-spectrum bulbs are sold with a numeric designation. 5.0 bulbs appear sufficient to stimulate the necessary previtamin D synthesis in lizards and are also considered suffifienct for snakes. Bulbs should be placed no further than 18 inches from the animal to ensure maximum UVB exposure. Glass refracts UVB radiation, and so glass lids are an inappropriate housing feature. Full-spectrum bulbs usually have an 8 to 14 month activity period.
==Substrate==
==Substrate==
The substrate should be simple to allow easy cleaning. Newspaper is perhaps the best substrate as it is disposable, cheap and can be used for the majority of species. Other commonly used substrates include carpet, Astroturf, pine and ash wood shavings. Shavings of woods such as cedar, which are high in aromatic compounds, should be avoided because they are toxic. Items that can be ingested e.g. small stones, gravel, corn cob bedding, should also be avoided. Peat and gravel look attractive but hide urates and faeces. Fossorial (burrowing) species such as sand boas require a substrate (such as sand) in which they can burrow. Leaf litter is a good alternative too. Imported materials should be inspected closely to avoid the introduction of unwanted pests, such as insects.
The substrate should be simple to allow easy cleaning. Newspaper is perhaps the best substrate as it is disposable, cheap and can be used for the majority of species. Other commonly used substrates include carpet, Astroturf, pine and ash wood shavings. Shavings of woods such as cedar, which are high in aromatic compounds, should be avoided because they are toxic. Items that can be ingested e.g. small stones, gravel, corn cob bedding, should also be avoided. Peat and gravel look attractive but hide urates and faeces. Fossorial (burrowing) species such as sand boas require a substrate (such as sand) in which they can burrow. Leaf litter is a good alternative too. Imported materials should be inspected closely to avoid the introduction of unwanted pests, such as insects.
==Humidity==
==Humidity==
[[Image:A_shed_snake_skin.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Humidity is an important husbandry factor in preventing an incomplete shed''' ([[Snake Dysecdysis|dysecdesis]]) - WikiCommons]]
[[Image:A_shed_snake_skin.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Humidity is an important husbandry factor in preventing an incomplete shed''' ([[Snake Dysecdysis|dysecdesis]]) - WikiCommons]]
*Excessive humidity is frequently associated with dermatitis. For more information on snake shedding, [[Snake Shedding|see here]]
*Excessive humidity is frequently associated with dermatitis. For more information on snake shedding, [[Snake Shedding|see here]]
*[[Snake Mites|Snake mites]], [[Snake Dysecdysis|dysecdysis]], [[Snake Vesicular Dermatitis|blister disease]] and [[Snake Eye|retained spectacles]] are all influenced by humidity
*[[Snake Mites|Snake mites]], [[Snake Dysecdysis|dysecdysis]], [[Snake Vesicular Dermatitis|blister disease]] and [[Snake Eye|retained spectacles]] are all influenced by humidity
==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|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.
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.
==Branches==
==Branches==
[[Image:Snakevisualsecurity.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Housing with branches that provide visual security''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
[[Image:Snakevisualsecurity.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Housing with branches that provide visual security''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
Arboreal species require branches in a high tank to reflect their free-living environment. These branches must be strong enough to support the weight of the snakes and be securely propped to prevent accidents. Only non-resinous oak, fruit or other hardwoods should be used.
Arboreal species require branches in a high tank to reflect their free-living environment. These branches must be strong enough to support the weight of the snakes and be securely propped to prevent accidents. Only non-resinous oak, fruit or other hardwoods should be used.
==Visual security==
==Visual security==
Cage furniture should be kept to a minimum but a hiding place is essential. Terrestrial snakes prefer to crawl into small holes or crevices when at rest, and many will not feed if a hiding area is not provided. Silk trees or plants can offer visual security and require minimal maintenance. They help to augment the relative humidity if frequently misted and aid in a snake's ability to camoflage itself.
Cage furniture should be kept to a minimum but a hiding place is essential. Terrestrial snakes prefer to crawl into small holes or crevices when at rest, and many will not feed if a hiding area is not provided. Silk trees or plants can offer visual security and require minimal maintenance. They help to augment the relative humidity if frequently misted and aid in a snake's ability to camoflage itself.
[[Category:Snake Husbandry]]
[[Category:Snake Husbandry]]