Changes

* 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 [[Snake Diet|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 [[Snake Diet|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 which require timers for the lighting.

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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 suffifient 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 suffifient 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 [[Insecta|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 [[Insecta|insects]].