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best copperhead container
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by challenger on October 11, 2004
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I currently have my neo copperhead in a "large" Critter container. He has plaenty of room and doesn't move around much. I saw a nice 20 gal long reptile setup in a store and am wondering if this is overkill? I am also wondering if he/she should have a warm area in the container. They,of course, are common in this area so advice on the preferred temp is greatly appreciated. From my understanding they hide if it is too hot (whats too hot) and hibernate once it gets winter (is this a long hibernation or will they come out on some 70 degree days in Jan? Thanks to all for the help.
Howard Christian
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RE: best copperhead container
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by Phobos on October 11, 2004
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Hi Howard:
It really best not to use aquariums for "Hots" or any snake in my opinion. Get her set up right from the start since you got her to eat.
Buy a small to medium professional grade enclosure like a "Precision" http://www.precisioncaging.com/
or "Vision" http://www.visioncages.com/
There are of course others but I use these and I'm very happy with them.
I use mostly use "Repticare Rock Heater" that can be found from any pet supply shop. This placed in a corner of the cage allows the snake to determine the right temperature. If it need more heat, it moves closer to the rock, if it's too hot, it moves away. Can't go wrong with this method.
I use a full spectrum florencent light for illumination that are turned off & on with a timer to simulate day/night.
I use "silk" plants for cover as well as local flat rocks. These are east to clean and disinfect.
Good luck,
Al
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RE: best copperhead container
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by bush_viper17 on October 11, 2004
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I had my neo copperheads in a 10 gallon aquarium and they did fine as far as not escaping. They were wild caught. I only kept them for a few days and released them back to there home. But 10 gallons seem to do good for a neo.
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RE: best copperhead container
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by bush_viper17 on October 11, 2004
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oh yeah, If you do house a bigger snake in an aquarium, youll need a sturdy top. Snakes seem to get out of glass aquariums fairly well.
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RE: best copperhead container
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by challenger on October 12, 2004
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I have the full spectrum lighting and will look into the links for proper cages. To further show my ignorance (I'M learning as quick as I can) do these guys stop eating on their own biological clock for hibernation? I am having some trouble finding good info on copperheads. I don't even know if this is a Northern or Southern??? I don't want to feed it if the food is going to rot in the digestive system and if it needs to hibernate I'd like to put it in a cooler climate (garage) where it never freezes but would give it the cooler temps it may be wanting at this point. Thanks for all the help.
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RE: best copperhead container
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by Phobos on October 12, 2004
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Snakes in captivity seem not to have a "true" hibernation. It may become inactive at some point but feed it as often as it will eat till then. Where do you live? I would not put it out in the garage but keep it indoors where you may have it now. Northern Timbers and Coppers I took care of at small wildlife museum in Southern NY State were kept at ambient temperature during the winter ~ 60-70 F. They had no heat source except of the cage lighting, very primative set-up but nice looking.
Al
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RE: best copperhead container
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by challenger on October 12, 2004
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I looked at the Precision cages and left a message for the owner to call me. They look top of the line but I'm not too sure about the light fixture and the heat generated from an incandescent bulb. I suppose the hibernation question is a can of worms. Some of the reading I've been doing says instinct caan't be bred out of reptiles and I know my 2 Ball Pythons would go off food for a few months even though they were never cooled down. I iwll take your suggestion and feed it if it takes it. What would you say is a good temp for them? I am in SE NC and you see snakes all year round (mostly road kill) If we get a few Jan days in the 70s you will see some snake activity but I don't know if they are on the feed or just catching rays.
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RE: best copperhead container
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by Phobos on October 12, 2004
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The guy at Precision can leave the fixture out if you ask or he can install what you want for very little $$. You just have to ask. He's a very friendly guy. I have 4 of the "Small cages" that's where I keep my smaller snakes: Cerastes cerastes, C. vipera, Bitis cauldalis, & Echis clarinatus. They have very little chance of getting out (I hate to use never) and I have plenty of room to work. They are easy to clean stackable too. The sliding glass on the Vision cages my be too wide for a neonate I was just thinking.
Al
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RE: best copperhead container
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by agkistrodude on October 12, 2004
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If your handy with a saw,you can build a cage just as nice and custom to your needs for about 1/10 the price of Precision cages. Not trying to bad-mouth them. They have nice cages. Just another idea. Marty
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RE: best copperhead container
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by challenger on October 13, 2004
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I orderred a precision cage on line. Thanks for the suggestion. I had made at one point a seven compartment display for some snakes I had but it was a huge project and I don't need another project right now so precision looks good.
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