horse shoe wipsnake

Question
Thanks for your help Cece, but i still have some doubts... maybe u could help?
My snake is a Horse Shoe Wipsnake... She has 1 meter and a half... The aquarium where she lives is 1 meter long, is it big enough?!...
...what kind of lamps and stones should i use to warm the snake?....how frequently should i feed the snake and how long can she spend without eating?... should i use some kind of air ventilation in the aquarium?...and know a question to deal with the snake, how can i handle the snake properly?...there are any trick?...

Thank's a lot Cece  

Answer
To: Tusa
Fr: Cece

1) Regarding cage size: I'm not great at converting measurements to your metric system, but your snake is almost 5 feet long ( 1.5 meters ). It needs an aquaruim/cage at least 2.5 sq. feet. in size.

2) Daytime temperature should be 80-88farenheit ( I think that around 30% c +/- . Put a thermometer in the cage so you can check. Heat rocks can sometimes overheat and hurt the snake. Heat lamps are usually best. Get a heat lamp designed for reptiles and be sure to check the thermometer occasionally. Put the lamp at one end of the cage because the snake needs to be able to move away from the that source when needed. Turn off the lamp at night. If your snake is to cold - He/she won't eat.

3) Most adult snakes should be fed once a week or up to once every 10 days. Your snake can go for quite a long time without food but she/he will do best with a medium sizes meal once a week. I'm guessing which is fine. Actually the mice should be dead when offered to your snake.

4) An aquarium with a screen top is goo for ventilation. (Uou don't need ventilation fans). The important thing is keeping the aquarium clean. Snakes like to have a place to hide and of course fresh water. Many snakes like a shallow dish large enough to bathe in.

5) Some snakes just won't taerate handling - I am not personally familiar with the Horseshoe Whip Snake. So, just be careful.

         Good Luck


        Sincerely, Cece E.