Enclosure for Stimsons Python

[Mysnakeau]

Sorry if I am repeating questions already answered a million times. I had a quick look buy hey! What would you have to talk about if you weren't answering same questions over and over..

Anyway

What is the best size enclosure for a Stimsons Python?

Can I make a fish tank work or should I try and get a proper snake tank? I have some spare 3foot fishtanks which are 50cm high and 36cm wide. If this would be ok, what else would you buy to set it up and how would you set it up?

BTW - how big are Stimmys? I've read in other websites that they can grow up to 87cm. If that's the case then I'm thinking my 3' tank would be too small??


Kathy

[Jason]

that would be plenty large enough, just need a good solid lid so it cant escape, and a heat light on a thermostat. then a hide and a water bowl and then do what you will with it all.

[Bonustokin]

hey kathy,
Stimsons are easy to look after mate. You can use a fish tank for it, but glass doesnt hold heat very well, so compared to a wooden enclosure, you may use heaps more electricity, just to keep it warm.

The only problem the snake will have with a fishtank is that it has 4 open walls, and snakes like small tight spaces, that are enclosed so they feel secure.

If anything, your 3foot tank would be too big! not too small.....
Stimsons grow to around 3 foot.... i have been told to make enclosures the length of half the snake, and half that again for the width. Stimsons dont climb much so it doesnt need to be high, but ya should have a climbing branch for exercise. They dont need a UV light, just take the snake outside once a week or so.
i have a maccie, which is basically the same as a stimmi, and i have him in a 2footx2footx1foot enclosure.

hope that helps

[Mysnakeau]

Cool thanks guys. Been plenty helpful.

But just about the glass not holding the heat & snakie's security, what if I made a wooden box for the fishtank to sit inside so the front is the only part sticking out? Would that help keep the heat in? Or painting three sides of it? And of course I'd replace the glass lids with gauze lids.

And is there any problems in having an enclosure too big? Hope not? I'd like to deck it out with some adventure for him so he doesn't get bored

Oh I won't mind taking him outside once a week. He'll get plenty of attention. But I have already placed an outdoor enclosure on my shopping list. A netted thing especially designed for reptiles for when I can't keep an eye on him.

Kathy

[ihaveherps]

instead of painting it, you can cover the sides with contact so it can be easily removed later... just a thought

[Rennie]

A stimpson's python will grow much bigger than 87cm, more like 100-120cm I've heard, but either way you're tank will be big enough, you just have to make sure you make it 100% escape proof.

[Bonustokin]

Firstly i dont know if the wood would help with the heat, it might..... but would be great for the snakes security.
I have a Glass enclosure, i have put a nice background for fishtanks that i bought form the petshop, and its stuck on the back. My enclosure is only 2x2x1 and my snake will live in it for the rest of its life.
Kathy, you wont be able to keep a stimmi in that 3foot fishtank until it is almost full grown... IMO.
If you kept a small young snake in a enclosure that big, it would feel very vunrable, and most likely go into stress mode, and not eat for you.... so yea there are problems with having a enclosure that is too big....

Snakes dont get bored if you look around this site, you will see most people keeping young snakes in click/clack containers.... this is the best option if u want to keep your snake happy and healthy.

You may think is cruel to have them in such small enclosures, but its exactly the opposite.... i know what you are thinking tho, because i had to question it too, when i first got my snake.
anyway hope that helps.
cheers

[Mysnakeau]

Ok, cool. Your help has been wonderful. If it means a friendlier pet then I will take up your advice & start with something smaller. Plenty of you have them in smaller tanks. There are a couple of reptile tanks in my supplier catalogues. One is 2' long, 1'wide and 2'f tall; The other is 18" square, or you can get an 18" x 18" x 2' tall. Perhaps one of these might be more desirable? Is height really an issue?

I am getting there Just about have my shopping list organised, then its just a matter of gradually putting it together. I have sourced a local breeder of the Stimmy's so I hope he has nice ones

Kathy

[kwaka_80]

yeah i have all 3 of my snakes and my turtle all in >50ltr wheelie containers I picked up from crazy clarks for 6 bucks each... when i was first into it all i went out and wasted my money on a killer 4 foot enclosure but i'd much rather prefer the wheelie boxes.. they are easy to clean, easy to move incase you need to, the only thing i needed to do was get some weatherstripping or sometihng around the top edges to make the lid fit tighter... i have had 2 escapes from the boxes but only for them to go down to the heat mat, they have never gone far from the container so in my view they enjoy being in/around them.. just my opinion anyway

[kwaka_80]

and when i had them in the enclosure they tried VERY hard to escape... 1 even did, lost him for a couple of days then found him back in the enclosure ready for a feed, snakes are amazing animals