Snake Cage Set Up

All pets need to have a cage or enclosure, some place they can think of as home. These homes should be as close as possible to their natural environment, and a snake is no different. But unlike other more conventional pets, a reptile cage will be needed that has an added heat source, a special water bowl, a hiding spot, a basking spot and some sort of climbing accessory such as driftwood as well a suitable substrate. Having all these items when setting up your snake cage is essential.

There are numerous ways to heat your reptile cage. The best way to ensure that you snake is kept warm is to use an overhead ceramic bulb. This is a constant source of heat that emits no light ensuring that your snake can stay warm while still giving it the “nighttime” it needs. Using a high watt light bulb will surely give your snake the heat it needs but will not be able to be turned off at night. Your heat source should also be kept to one side of the cage as your snake will regulate their own body temperature by moving to different sides of the cage. This also remains true if you are using an under tank heater in a glass aquarium. Do not put them in the middle or on both sides of the tank.

A basking spot should also be available to your snake. This can be achieved by either buying a reptile cage that has an elevated shelf or by a piece of driftwood placed directly under the heat source. This will allow your snake to climb on the wood or shelf and get extra close to the heat if it so desires.

A climbing accessory should be added for your snake to get some excersize. Snakes in the wild climb quite often and like to feel like they are at home. A climbing accessory will achieve this. Be careful however which type of wood you use. I do not recommend going into your woods, picking up a stick or log and placing it in your cage. Driftwood is the way to go. There is no bark for insets to hide under and it is much easier to clean. To prepare your driftwood, soak it in bleach and water solution for a couple of hours, rinse and dry.

A water bowl should be placed in the cage that is large enough for your snake to soak in and have a wide enough base so that it can not tip over as your snake enters or exits. The water bowl should be kept fresh and clean at all times. Water bowls also serve a second function; they help control the humidity in your cage. If your humidity is too low you should place the water bowl closer to the heat source. If your humidity is too high, move the bowl away from the heat.

Hiding spots are also an important part of your snake cage set up. Snakes are solitude by nature and can often become stressed if there is no place for it to be “by itself”. A hiding spot however should only be placed in your cage after your snake has adapted itself to you and its surroundings. If your snake has a hiding spot upon arrival at your home it will never get used to people walking by the cage or just the presence of humans in general. Wait a few weeks for your snake to adapt to its surroundings and being handled before placing the hiding spot in the cage.

Finally you will have to add a bedding or “substrate” to the bottom of your cage. There are many types you can use…anything from newspaper to actual reptile bedding. In my opinion Cypress Mulch is the way to go. Newspaper does not look good at all and reptile bedding is very expensive. Cypress mulch looks good and is very inexpensive and is what I use for all my snakes.

While there is much more to owning a snake setting up a suitable snake cage is a great first step. Read more articles on this website such as handling reptiles, tips for feeding your snake, safety tips and commonly asked questions to familiarize yourself with all there is to know about owning a snake as a pet.