mrbaggins
Active Member
First off, Hi. I'm a High School teacher in Wagga NSW and have recently gotten it into my head that I'd like a pet snake. I've done a whole heap of research and just wanted to clarify a few things.
I'm looking at getting a Children's or Spotted python as a first snake. I'm also looking at getting a second one later that I would like to keep in the same enclosure as the first (friendliness between specimens permitting). With this in mind, I've been looking at pre-fab vivariums of assorted sizes.
Based on what I've read, I'm looking at the 60x45x45cm (24x18x18") Exo Terra PT2610 enclosure (121L or 32Gal total capacity). It appears to have all the requisite features, and is big enough for two but not waaaaay to big for a young one. Is this right? Or should I look at making a click clack til it's bigger, or should I look at bigger enclosures?
I've priced a large number of things. Substrates, heat pads, thermostats, thermometers, hydrometers (Haven't read much about these. Really needed?) the light canopy for the enclosure (Uses standard screw in fittings, so can mount any fluro, UV or incandescent light), the bulbs for the canopy, water bowls, hiding holes, branches, plants, the actual snake itself, price of frozen food... It's a rather long list.
I've also read all the licensing fees/conditions and import requirements if I buy from interstate.
Have I accounted for everything?
As for specific questions (and I know this post is getting quite long, thanks for sticking with it):
Do heat mats normally go inside the tank, or under it? The ExoTerra has a nice half to an inch of clearance underneath and it seems like this is where it should go (with styrene to protect whatever the pad sits on, with the thermostat probe inside the styrene).
When I'm buying things like a water bowl, and decorated hides, should I be looking at small sizes (Water bowl in small seems to be about 8cmx14)? They seem very small considering the snake is going to end up a meter long.
I've read not so good things about full glass enclosures (such as the ExoTerra). With a decent heating setup and located in a consistent temperature room, is this likely to be a large problem?
I have two options for the canopy, both from ExoTerra. One has two sidemount screw in fittings, where I can place any standard (or reptile special but standard fitting) bulb. The other one costs 5 times as much, and instead has two fluro tube fittings and a halogen spot heat lamp fitting. Is this even worth considering? With an appropriately warm tank, is a basking light required?
Thanks for any help/answers, looking forward to getting one of these guys soon!
I'm looking at getting a Children's or Spotted python as a first snake. I'm also looking at getting a second one later that I would like to keep in the same enclosure as the first (friendliness between specimens permitting). With this in mind, I've been looking at pre-fab vivariums of assorted sizes.
Based on what I've read, I'm looking at the 60x45x45cm (24x18x18") Exo Terra PT2610 enclosure (121L or 32Gal total capacity). It appears to have all the requisite features, and is big enough for two but not waaaaay to big for a young one. Is this right? Or should I look at making a click clack til it's bigger, or should I look at bigger enclosures?
I've priced a large number of things. Substrates, heat pads, thermostats, thermometers, hydrometers (Haven't read much about these. Really needed?) the light canopy for the enclosure (Uses standard screw in fittings, so can mount any fluro, UV or incandescent light), the bulbs for the canopy, water bowls, hiding holes, branches, plants, the actual snake itself, price of frozen food... It's a rather long list.
I've also read all the licensing fees/conditions and import requirements if I buy from interstate.
Have I accounted for everything?
As for specific questions (and I know this post is getting quite long, thanks for sticking with it):
Do heat mats normally go inside the tank, or under it? The ExoTerra has a nice half to an inch of clearance underneath and it seems like this is where it should go (with styrene to protect whatever the pad sits on, with the thermostat probe inside the styrene).
When I'm buying things like a water bowl, and decorated hides, should I be looking at small sizes (Water bowl in small seems to be about 8cmx14)? They seem very small considering the snake is going to end up a meter long.
I've read not so good things about full glass enclosures (such as the ExoTerra). With a decent heating setup and located in a consistent temperature room, is this likely to be a large problem?
I have two options for the canopy, both from ExoTerra. One has two sidemount screw in fittings, where I can place any standard (or reptile special but standard fitting) bulb. The other one costs 5 times as much, and instead has two fluro tube fittings and a halogen spot heat lamp fitting. Is this even worth considering? With an appropriately warm tank, is a basking light required?
Thanks for any help/answers, looking forward to getting one of these guys soon!