HOUSING

An enclosure for a snake should be large enough to allow the snake to move around unrestricted. Snakes require heat whether from a heat lamp or heat pad.

Always keep a water dish or source of water in with your snake, and it is best if the snake can completely submerge into its water dish.

Dehydrated snakes are dry, wrinkly, and flaky, soak and increase humidity if this occurs. Soaking snakes weekly in a Rubbermaid bin also helps ensure proper hydration. Also, it helps to mist the snakes enclosure with a water bottle.

Bedding should be changed as often as the snake deficates, spot cleaning helps. The best substrate is variable depending on the climate where the kingsnake comes from. In applications where a high humidity level needs to be maintained we recommend Forest Floor, Softbed, Organic Orchid Bark, or any type of bark that is safe for reptiles and can hold a good deal of moisture. In applications where the moisture level isn't so critical a sand

Where the moisture level is not so critical a sand such as Reptisand, or Calcisand may be more suitable. Again this is something that is different for every type of kingsnake so it is best to research each species to find the best substrate solution for your individual application.

A hiding spot or area is also a benefit to the snake allowing it to choose to shield itself from the heat of a cage or the light from a bulb. This is to help replicate the option available to a snake in the wild. To do this we recommend a Reptishelter, or a Rock Den both of which would give enough darkness and temperature difference to suit a kingsnake. However, in a high humidity application the Reptishelter would be the better choice because it is much easier to raise the moisture level.

DIET:
Feed one pinky or fuzzy once a week, your snake can eat a mouse that is the size of its widest girth or equal to its head size. When your snakes eyes go blue they will shed soon, leave it alone, wait for them to shed then continue feeding as always.

If you are local and have an emergency or sick animal and need a vet we recommend Dr. Bart 951-493-6771, he is very affordable and good with reptiles.

Please research about your animals, clean the cage as often as they deficate, change water everyday, supplement all food items with mineral vitamin supplement.

The Leopard tortoises do not hibernate in nature. Facilities should be provided for the continued health and well being of the animal, regardless of its size, indoors in cooler climates during the winter.