Paludarium?

Question

I want to get a ribbon snake because my mom won't let me get a rodent eater.
I would like to give him a paludarium in a 30 gallon aquarium.
Any suggestions?

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/46g_construct.htm

how would this work?
It looks like ot would keep the water very clean, I would put more land and less water.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/on-plant-physiology-and-emersed-culture/9469-emersed-growth-set-up-advice.html

That one was my favorite, but I would shape the styrophone differentlyso there was more of a place for the snake to be out of the water but cleaning everyday poop would be hard wouldn't it.

Answer 1

A paludarium is wonderful, but in actuality a big pain in the neck. To keep it planted and look nice, it requires water, and without adequate drainage, the plants fail to thrive, and become a smelly mess. It is better to use a simple cage design with either ground corn cob, or other substrate, no plants, and use wood bark (cork) and rocks for cage furniture. Keep it simple, as it will need cleaning often to prevent a musky smell. Ribbon snakes are ok, but king snakes and rat snakes are better pets...work on your mom...most pet stores sell frozen mice...

Answer 2

If you still want to try a paludarium I have not had much touble keeping them clean and not to bad smelling. (They do end up smelling a bit lik a pond.) I have not kept a snake in one though so I do not know how that would effect it.

I just have a cage of the appropriate size and fill it with smooth pea gravel, and make one side higher than the other. Plant whatever safe plants you want in the gravel. Do not transfer the dirt from their pots, just move the plants and their roots. Then cover the gravel that is on the high side of the tank with NON milled spagnum moss with no additives. You can get this at some garden centers, reptile shows, or online. Soak the moss in water before you add it to the tank. Then fill the tank with water to the appropriate level so the moss and plants are out of the water but there is a shallow "pond" of sorts on the low side. The water in the bottom of the tank should keep the moss moist and water the plants. Dont forget to include a hiding spot or two. Cork bark works good for this.

The best plant to use is a Pothos. You can find this plant in almost every store. (just make sure to clean all plants to remove fertelizer and pestisides) It grows quick is pretty good looking and is sturdy.

Just make sure to pump the water out of the tank once or twice a month and replace it. (I just use some tubing and gravity, just like cleaning a fish tank.) And of course clean up after the snake immideatly. The moss should be chnged out every once in a while as well.


But for easy maintenance just a plain aquarium with some dry substrait, a hiding place, and a water bowl works great.

Answer 3

If kept too moist the snake will get scale rot and blisters. The snake also needs a thermal gradient and with a paludarium the only way i can see how is with a heat lamp over one side of the tank wich will dry the plants out.

This one looks better and has instructions on how to build
http://winkrdink.tripod.com/