Info needed on Vivariums

[JennaBanenna]

As a highschool project I have chosen to make a Vivarium to house one of my partner's yearling Jungle Pythons.

Because I want to make the enclosure a replica of the snakes natural habitat I would like any info anyone can give me in regards to methods they have used or plants and soils and things I could use that wont harm my partner's snake.

Also, for this kind of set up in an enclosure, what source of heat would be best? A heatmat or a heatlamp?

Any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou.

[DrOsteo]

fake plants, newspaper for substrate (or if wanting to be fancy.....aspen bedding), definately use a heatlamp.
Putting soil and real plants is putting your snakes at risk due to any possible bugs in the soil and also akes it far harder to clean

[JennaBanenna]

Originally Posted by DrOsteo

fake plants, newspaper for substrate (or if wanting to be fancy.....aspen bedding), definately use a heatlamp.
Putting soil and real plants is putting your snakes at risk due to any possible bugs in the soil and also akes it far harder to clean

Thanks for that, I really appreciate your help

[JennaBanenna]

Originally Posted by africancichlidau

Why not pick a subject you know something about?

What would I learn from doing a subject I already know everything about???

And since I do have some knowledge in this area, there is nothing wrong with me challenging myself and giving myself the opportunity to learn MORE!

[tempest]

Sounds like an awesome highschool project Jenna, wish I could have done something like that when I was at school!!

I don't know much about Jungles as I don't keep one but if you use the search function you should find plenty of info.

Have fun making it!

[JennaBanenna]

Ok, I think I have gathered enough information to START designing the enclosure and this is what I have in mind so far. (Feedback please)

4ft high x 2ft wide x 2ft deep.

Im thinking of having riverstones as the ground cover, unless I find out that they are bad on here.

A water bowl in the middle of the ground. A branch running from the bottom left corner to the top right corner.

The heatlamp in the middle at the top... A rock like hide in the front right corner and some fake plants here and there.

Im just thinking though, is it going to be a bad thing for the water to be directly under the heat source?

Should I have another hide up high somewhere?

Is this an alright size enclosure for a yearling Jungle Carpet Python???

[mysnakesau]

Just a suggestion regarding the plants, if you can find out what plants thrive in the same areas as the jungle pythons, I am sure you will find fake ones. You'll have fake but the real plants that live with the python.

[JennaBanenna]

Originally Posted by mysnakesau

Just a suggestion regarding the plants, if you can find out what plants thrive in the same areas as the jungle pythons, I am sure you will find fake ones. You'll have fake but the real plants that live with the python.

Thats a good point! Thankyou

It would look more realistic too...

Which reminds me, can anyone tell me if painting the inside of the enclosure is a bad idea? or what type of paint I should use or if I need to seal it with something to protect the snake???

[Kyro]

Hey Jenna are you going for a rainforest look in your viv? I recently found an old log covered in wisteria vine that looks great in my viv, it's actually fused together so looks like it's out of a jungle. You could also use air plants like old mans beard(Tillandsias) which don't require soil so no mess & they can be easily attached with a bit of hot glue :wink: Good Luck mate,sounds like heaps of fun

[tan]

Originally Posted by africancichlidau

Why not pick a subject you know something about?

Because then she wouldn't be learning anything, the point of an assignment is to research and learn about new things. Jenna, do a search on enclosures and vivariums. Also a good book is by John Weigel, I can't remember the exact title but its roughly "the care of australian reptiles in captivity" Have a look in your library

[JennaBanenna]

Hey Kyro. Thanks for that idea about the plants, so are air plants living plants without soil or are they fake plants? :S

Ive been excited about this project ever since I first got the idea and now since becoming a member on here and gathering information Im really starting to feel like things are coming together

Tan, I will check my school library tomorrow for that book and if they dont have it I will check my local library. Thanks heaps for the tip on the book.

And I will keep everyone up to date with how my project is coming along because without you guys(and girls) and this website I wouldnt find out as much stuff as I am!

[andrew_555]

Originally Posted by JennaBanenna

Ok, I think I have gathered enough information to START designing the enclosure and this is what I have in mind so far. (Feedback please)

4ft high x 2ft wide x 2ft deep.

Im thinking of having riverstones as the ground cover, unless I find out that they are bad on here.

A water bowl in the middle of the ground. A branch running from the bottom left corner to the top right corner.

The heatlamp in the middle at the top... A rock like hide in the front right corner and some fake plants here and there.

Im just thinking though, is it going to be a bad thing for the water to be directly under the heat source?

Should I have another hide up high somewhere?

Is this an alright size enclosure for a yearling Jungle Carpet Python???

Firstly, great plan to do a vivarium! You'll have a great time, i recently made one myself. here is what i found and have learned from the combined knowledge of this website and my further reading. The only issue is that there are a few conflicting views on many ideas regarding the points you have made above.

Firstly, from what i have read, the size seems good (i made a similar sized enclosure for what will be my new bredli python (also semi aboreal - tree dwelling). I have one 100 watt heat lamp (red) in the middle of the cabinet at the top, surrounded by a commercially bought chichen wire style cage to prevent the snake from burning itself. It is also connected to a thermostat. I also have two conventional downlights, primarily for light and a little heat is generated also.

I have three large branches for it to climb on, one under the lamp as a basking spot.

As for the rocks on the floor, as others have suggested, newspaper is far more practical, if not a little less attactive. What i have done is put down two layers of butchers paper and cover it in what is called 'breeders choice' kitty litter, which is a greyish colour. Looks ok, and is rather easy to clean (i am told).

I have put a heat cord under the butchers paper to provide a warm spot on the floor to simulate heates ground at night, it seems to work fine, and compensates for the enclosure being so tall.

You will need ventillation. What i suggest is silver vents that you can buy from stratco or bunnings, little and not sharp, i have put these at the bottom and drilled a few holes at the top of the enclosure to encourage airflow.

I have put in local grasses (my snake is from an arid region) for two purposes, firstly for additional natural hides, and secondly for enrichment (a term given to me by my room mate who is a zoo keeper, it provides new smells and interesting textures for the snake... apparently, i'm not sure about this, but hey, why not?

Finally, hides. A rock hide is good, the snake should be able to touch three of the sides with its body when inside, so that it feels completely enclosed and secure. I have one above the heat cord, one in the cool end on the fllor. and two in the branches, one near the basking spot and one away from it.

Good luck, and although these are my views, i think they indicate somewhat of a consensus amongst the members. If anyone wants to make any suggestions or changes to what i have suggested, It would be most welcome because i am just as interested in the outcome of this thread as you are but read the site, lots of interesting stuff.

Have fun

Andy

[Steff-T]

Sorry to be a pain and put a spin on all this info you've gathered. If I were you, for the sake of practicality (as its for a school project) stick with what you have so far. We'd love to see some pics once you start getting something together.

Now.... if you want to study up on another angle, try to find a copy of "The Art of Keeping Snakes" by Philippe de Vosjoli. (Check out the publisher at www.avsbooks.com) I've recently picked up a copy and have been intreged by its contents. I got it off eBay for about $15 or so. It focuses on a 'naturalistic' approach to keeping snakes, which includes using real soil and live plants.

Best of luck.

[JennaBanenna]

Steff-T,

That sounds like a book I need to find and read, see, for a little while (after my brilliant project idea) I thought, I could just make this really pretty enclosure full of plants and such. JUST for the school project. But my real goal is to try and make a realistic enclosure that I can actually house one of Jeramie's Jungle Pythons in after it has been assessed.

I got dissapointed when I found out I wouldnt be able to put any real plants or living things in there because they will harm the snake. But Im starting to get my hopes up that if I do my research thorough enough I will be able to create a SAFE realistic environment for the snake. And everybody here is being really helpful.

Yes, I must admit, its alot of info for me to take in and Im not the best at retaining information. Thats why I have been taking notes all day long!

And believe me, I know Im going to be so proud of this once it is completed. There will be pictures galore!!! Because even before I hand it in for assessment (once its completed) Id like to have feedback from the people of the aps community.

Well. I seem to have stumbled into a really talkative mood tonight, so hopefully Im not getting on peoples nerves.

Thanks for the advice.

Jenna

[Steff-T]

Jenna, in that book I entioned, he calls the soil 'bioactive substrate'... try searching for that in google... I managed to get quite a bit more info that way. Hope it helps.