Snakes · Care guide
Boaedon fuliginosus
Native to Sub-Saharan Africa — a popular small-to-medium pet snake that becomes docile with steady care. Males average about 2–3 ft; females reach about 3–4 ft. Probe target 80 °F, dry pelleted straw, a wet box for shed humidity, Shadedweller Max UV, and a rodent diet sized to girth.
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Daytime probe
80 °F
27 °C · thermostat sensor
Night drop
~10 °F
~70 °F · ~21 °C
Adult vivarium
30×18×18
Or larger · inches
UVB
Shadedweller Max
Ceiling · for snakes
01 · Housing
A dry-species terrestrial setup with a clear temperature gradient. Adult minimum is 30″ × 18″ × 18″ (or larger). Pelleted straw, at least two hides, branches, tunnels, a wet box, artificial plants, and a cool-side water bowl.
Adult minimum size
30″ W × 18″ D × 18″ H
Wooden vivarium minimum (or larger). Heat bulb, Shadedweller Max UV, dry pelleted straw, wet box, tunnels, and cool-side water bowl.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 30″ wide × 18″ tall (depth 18″) · hides · branches · tunnels · wet box · foliage · cool water bowl
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat bulb & probe left–right positions · Recommended temps need this layout
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the vivarium · bulb on the ceiling · probe hangs down the back
02 · Climate
Probe 80 °F with a clear cool-to-warm gradient, Shadedweller Max UV, and a wet box for occasional humidity — especially around shed.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 80 °F (27 °C) creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cool side | ~78 °F (~26 °C) |
| Probe point (thermostat probe target) | 80 °F (27 °C) |
| Middle | 82–84 °F (28–29 °C) |
| Warm side | 86–88 °F (30–31 °C) |
| Basking spot | ~90–92 °F (~32–33 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~70 °F (~21 °C) at night · ~10 °F drop |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
Shadedweller Max on the ceiling · heat dome on the warm side · match UV to heat
Always have the thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the probe to 80 °F (27 °C) for daytime once the heat bulb and sensor are in place.
03 · Nutrition
Rodent feeders sized to girth. Settle first, then build a steady schedule — evening or overnight feeds suit most of these snakes.
At a glance
Guide as the snake grows — size relative to girth
| Prey | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 1 pinkie | 2× per week |
| 2 pinkies | 2× per week |
| 1 fluff | 2× per week |
| 2 fluffs | Every 5 days |
| 1 hop | Every 5 days |
| 1 small mouse | Every 7 days |
| 1 medium mouse | Every 7–10 days |
| 1 large mouse | Every 10–12 days |
| 1 extra-large mouse | Every 14 days |
Snakes may naturally refuse food at times — breeding season (males especially can go off feed for many months), and during shed (slough). The shed process can take 1–2 weeks; you may not notice the very beginning.
Speak to a member of staff if feeding concerns continue after settlement and shed cycles.
04 · Behaviour
Patience first. Settling and regular feeding come before handling.
Allow the snake to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — we recommend at least two successful feeds first. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse.
Initial sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as the snake becomes more comfortable.
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling to prevent bacteria transfer both ways.
Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can harm reptiles.
05 · Welfare
Prevention starts with correct husbandry — heat, UV, hydration, and safe substrate working together.
Correct temperatures, hydration, and UV where used keep the immune system and gut working well — supporting essential physiological processes.
Pros
Cons
Questions
Adult minimum is a wooden vivarium 30″ × 18″ × 18″, or larger. Use dry pelleted straw (or dry-species bedding), at least two hides (cool and hot), fill the ground with hides, branches and tunnels, artificial plants, a wet box with damp moss, and a cool-side water bowl. Heat bulb with the ¼/¼ probe method and Shadedweller Max UV.
Set the thermostat probe to 80 °F (27 °C) by day with the heat bulb about one-quarter from one side and the probe one-quarter from the opposite side, hanging down the back a few inches from the floor. That creates a gradient of about 78 °F cool, 82–84 °F middle, 86–88 °F warm, and around 90–92 °F under the basking bulb. At night reduce the thermostat by about 10 °F to around 70 °F (21 °C). Daytime heat about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer.
They are a dry species. Provide a wet box with damp moss so the snake can choose higher humidity when needed, especially during shed. Place a water bowl on the cool side and replace water daily with de-chlorinated or bottled water.
Although snakes are generally nocturnal, use a Shadedweller Max UV system — they may access UV during daylight. Mount on the vivarium ceiling. Match UV on/off to heat photoperiod (about 12 hours winter / up to 16 hours summer).
Males average about 2–3 ft; females reach about 3–4 ft. They are popular, handling-tolerant pets that become docile with steady care.
Allow the snake to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — at least two successful feeds first. Early sessions 5–10 minutes only; lengthen as they become more comfortable. Wait about 24 hours after feeding before handling. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Young snakes twice a week while growing; sub-adults about once every five days; adults about once a week. Prey size should match the snake’s girth (not head size). Feed in the evening or overnight; remove uneaten food by morning. Do not feed during shed — wait until after the shed is complete.
Next steps
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
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