Snake Housing

What type of enclosure is best for snakes?

The best types of enclosures for snakes are vivariums with wide footprints. As largely ground-dwelling animals, snakes appreciate lots of ground room so they can move around, stretch out, and get comfortable. Most vivariums are made from a combination of wood and glass, which not only gives them a natural and sleek aesthetic, but also helps them to retain heat and moisture. Other suitable types of enclosures include snake terrariums and glass/acrylic snake tanks.

How big of an enclosure does a snake need?

The size of a snake enclosure depends on the type and size of snake you have, but as a general rule of thumb it’s recommended that your enclosure should be at least two-thirds the length of your snake. Some smaller types of snakes, such as corn snakes, do well in small, 90cm-long vivariums, while larger types of snakes, such as ball pythons, need to be kept in enclosures that are more than a metre in length. As your snake grows, you may need to upgrade its enclosure from a small snake terrarium to a large snake vivarium. It’s important that you take this into account before you buy a pet snake.

How do you stop a snake from escaping its enclosure?

Snakes are known escape artists and will, if given the chance, escape their enclosure. To make your snake’s enclosure/vivarium truly escape proof, install locks or latches on the doors – padlocks or combination locks are best as they’re impossible for your snake to manipulate and potentially ‘crack’ open. You should also make sure there are no gaps in your vivarium and that any lids are reinforced and properly screwed down. If your snake does manage to escape its enclosure don’t immediately panic, it’s likely still in your house and curled up somewhere warm.