housing diamond hatchies -pics please!

[nickvelez]

just being reading one of the older threads on DPS and read that keeping hatchies in click clacks wasn't recommended, due to the lack of exercise and lack of UV exposure.

How do people house their diamond hatchies to ensure that they're getting all they need.

How do people further north than Sydney cope with the warmer temps?
Underground hides in aviaries are recommended for cool spots, but how about hatchies? what age do diamonds move up to an aviary?

thanks

[waruikazi]

I don't keep diamonds but i have not had any trouble keeping any snakes in click clacks. In fact i would say they are one of the better enclosures to keep hatchies in. As for moving to aviaries i would say it eould matter more about the size and condition of the snake rather than the age, i would say that even a yearlibg woth good condition could survive quite well in an aviary.

[zen]

one of the older threads on DPS and read that keeping hatchies in click clacks wasn't recommended, due to the lack of exercise and lack of UV exposure.

What thread are you referring to :

I haven't heard about this before

[nickvelez]

http://www.aussiepythons.com/index.p...r=asc&start=45

sorry - talking specifically diamond hatchies

Originally Posted by zen

I also find that they become more active and search around when hungry, which is good exercise. As a flabby body/loss of muscle tone is one of the symptoms of DPS (Diamond Python Syndrome) and as exercise helps maintain muscle tone, it can only help.
For this purpose I also recommend you put several secure branches in the enclosure.

One more thing is not to keep juvenile Diamonds in tiny click-clacks etc like is often done with other python species, for the above reasons. For ambush hunters they're quite active and I've seen them foraging through trees and on the ground in the wild.
Exercise probably won't prevent the development of DPS, as no other single preventative factor is likely to. But a combination of all the advice given is your best bet.
1. Access to U.V
2. Do not overfeed.
3. Access to cool areas at all times and never overheat.
4. Exercise
5. Minimize stress and don't handle too often or for too long.

[zulu]

What else can you do but keep them like normal little carpets when they are small nick,dont worry when they are little they expend all there energy by growing,when they are bigger its different

[Herc]

I have sucessfully raised diamonds in sweater box size, rack style enclosures without any suffering from lack of exercise. you certainly don't need anything special for them at all.

[zen]

Oh dear! This is embarrassing. I said it

I meant what I said but I should have emphasised tiny.

"...not to keep juvenile Diamonds in tiny click-clacks".



Exercise is beneficial for Diamond hatchlings IMO.

[nickvelez]

it wasn't until I quoted you Zen that I noticed you'd said tiny. so yes as long as they've room to explore and clamber about. I got worried as I have diamond juvs of about 10 months in click clacks, but big enough for them to have small branches which I see them using at night.

so what about UV? 30mins outside a week?

so another question relating to that thread - serpenttongue mentioning no heating after1pm. so allowing a cooler night. I like the sound of this as I worry they don't get cold enough at night - 23c what sort of temps can diamonds cope with during the summer nights.

[zen]

...they've room to explore and clamber about... big enough for them to have small branches which I see them using at night.

That sounds fine Nick.

I've seen Diamond juveniles kept in very small containers, smaller than a shoe-box, which I think is wrong. One specimen was 3 foot long in a 1 foot long box.
This is what I meant by tiny, but it happens. :roll:


They're a very active species and need room to move.
Hatchlings in captivity are predominantly crepuscular, so aren't active until after their lights are turned off. This leads many to believe they don't move around much, so therefore don't need much room.
Just watch your Diamond shortly after dark in warm weather or if it's been kept warm during the day indoors and you'll see what I mean.

...another question relating to that thread - serpenttongue mentioning no heating after1pm. so allowing a cooler night.

I've re-read that thread & I think Serpenttongue was referring to adult Diamonds.

Hatchlings can be kept warm all day and if they've just eaten should be given warm to mild conditions at night too.
In between feeds they can handle room temps. at night.
In their first year coolish nights are good for them (IMO), in between feeds that is.
After their first winter indoors, they should be kept the same as adults, i.e naturally cycled.

I worry they don't get cold enough at night - 23c what sort of temps can diamonds cope with during the summer nights.

: I'm not sure what you mean here Nick.
Are you saying the coldest you're hatchlings ever get at night is 23 c?

The temps they can cope with depend on their age/size.


Hope this helps.

Cheers zen

[nickvelez]

Thanks for your comments Zen.
the temps in the house and my shed are about 23C first thing in the morning at the start of the summer. its possible that temps before the sun comes up in the morning may be 28C for a couple of months over summer.
is this going to be too much ?
what sort of temps is it before dawn in high summer in diamond country?

[Davem54]

Love to see a pic of your Spanish Diamond Nick. The summer morning lows in diamond country could vary a lot. But 15- 25c would be a rough figure. Probab;y higher in heat wave type conditions. Could be lower in cold snap conditions. Hows that for helpfull accurate info. LOL.

[nickvelez]

thanks Davem54, it looks like 2 months of 28C minimums could be a bit over the top then.
AC looks to be the way forward or perhaps I should bury them under a tree for a month or so?
I reallly need to get them all outside and with underground hides.
my young uns I got about 5 weeks ago.
At the same time I received another 2003 male also from Sweden.
All shed and feeding well after their journey down. Diamonds aren't very available round here.

[nickvelez]

these two I've had for 8 months now, also from Sweden, so this will be their 1st Spanish summer.

[Davem54]

My thoughts on the temps were just based on what I reckon. I am sure they vary with location. Underdround hides might be the go Nick.

[Davem54]

Geez Nick you have a few!!!