Homemade Snake Terrarium
- For a terrarium to be self-sustaining, it will need adequate drainage so the plants will root and grow. This can be achieved by lining the bottom of the terrarium with pebbles or leca balls, which are absorbent clay balls available at garden centers. Activated charcoal or sphagnum moss can be layered on top of the pebbles to help clean the water that seeps through it, and finally a layer of a substrate of choice, such as sand, peat moss, potting soil, or mulch, can be spread on top of that.
- The climate of the homemade snake terrarium will depend on the species of snake being kept as well as the plants that will go in it. Desert snakes such as Kenyan sand boas or rosy boas will do well in a dry terrarium with a sand substrate and desert plants such as aloe and other succulents that do not have needles that would harm the snake. Other snake species such as rainbow boas, Amazon tree boas and emerald tree pythons will require a humid rain-forest environment with moist substrate such as sphagnum moss and rain-forest plants such as pothos or bromeliads. Snakes do not eat the plants so their toxicity is not a concern, but the snake may trample or crush the plants. The plants should be securely planted into the substrate or tank walls, which can be achieved by securing a plant pot to the floor or walls with silicone and then placing the plant in the protective pot.
- When making a homemade snake terrarium, the glass tank should have a secure lid to prevent the snake from escaping. The terrarium should also be of an appropriate size for the snake being kept. Smaller snake species such as garter snakes or corn snakes can easily be kept in a 20-gallon tank, but larger species such as boas or pythons will need more space. A 50-gallon tank can easily house larger snake species, leaving plenty of room for plants and decorations. It is up to the terrarium builder if they would like a simple terrarium with a printed background similar to a fish tank, or if they would like to build walls on the sides and back of the terrarium. Spray foam can be used to construct walls and rock-like backgrounds, which can be covered in moss or soil before it dries. Plant pots, rocks, logs and other decorations can also be embedded in the spray foam.
- Plants from all climates will require UV lighting to grow, and snakes will require a basking area. This can be achieved by placing a heat lamp on one side of the lid so it warms up a spot in the terrarium for the snake to bask in. Rain-forest snakes and plants will also need high humidity ranging from 70 to 80 percent, which can be achieved by daily misting of the terrarium. Desert snakes will tolerate dryer conditions, but will need a water dish to drink from and soak in.
