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[[Image:Black Racer snake.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''Black Racer snake resting''' Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Asit K. Ghosh Thaumaturgist, 22nd February, 2010.]]
[[Image:Black Racer snake.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''Black Racer snake resting''' Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Asit K. Ghosh Thaumaturgist, 22nd February, 2010.]]
==Introduction to housing==
==Introduction to housing==
==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 such as small stones, gravel and 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 also a good alternative. 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 such as small stones, gravel and 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 also a good alternative. Imported materials should be inspected closely to avoid the introduction of unwanted pests, such as insects.
==Humidity==
==Humidity==
==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.
{{Learning
|full text = [http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093118390.pdf ''' Hot or cold: the use of thermography in reptile husbandry and management.''' Fleming, G. J.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 17-21 January, 2009, 2009, pp 1781-1782, 13 ref.]
[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093118391.pdf '''Artificial lighting for reptiles: what we know and what you need to know.''' Mitchell, M. A.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 17-21 January, 2009, 2009, pp 1783-1785, 2 ref.]
[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093041822.pdf '''How much UVB does my reptile need?''' Baines, F.; Roberts, V.; British Veterinary Zoological Society, Romford, UK, British Veterinary Zoological Society Proceedings of the Autumn Meeting 2008, Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, Cheshire, UK, 8th-9th November, 2008. Reptiles and lower vertebrates, 2008, pp 31, 1 ref.]
[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093041840.pdf '''Reptile lamps and lighting.''' Baines, F.; Roberts, V.; British Veterinary Zoological Society, Romford, UK, British Veterinary Zoological Society Proceedings of the Autumn Meeting 2008, Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, Cheshire, UK, 8th-9th November, 2008. Reptiles and lower vertebrates, 2008, pp 25]
[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2007/20073288064.pdf '''The challenges of housing sick and injured reptiles.''' Rouffignac, M.; Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, Bondi, Australia, 32nd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Australia, 19-23 August 2007, 2007, pp unpaginated, 7 ref.]
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[[Category:Snake Husbandry]]
[[Category:Snake Husbandry]]