Snakes · Care guide
Pituophis catenifer sayi
An active gopher snake subspecies from northern Mexico through southern Canada, typically 4–6 ft, in grasslands, deserts and open woodlands. Dry vivarium 48″ × 24″ × 24″, probe 82 °F, Shadedweller Max UV, wet box for humidity choice, 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
82 °F
28 °C · thermostat sensor
Night drop
~10 °F
~72 °F · ~22 °C
Diet
Rodents
By girth · size stages
UVB
Shadedweller Max
Ceiling-mounted UV
01 · Housing
Dry terrestrial snakes that like to hide by day. Give floor cover — hides on both ends, branches and tunnels, a wet box with damp moss for shedding, artificial plants, dry substrate, and a clear temperature gradient. Adult minimum is 48″ × 24″ × 24″.
Adult minimum size
48″ W × 24″ D × 24″ H
Wooden vivarium 48″ wide × 24″ deep × 24″ tall for active adults. Dry setup with heat bulb, Shadedweller Max UV, wet box, and cool-side water bowl.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 48″ wide × 24″ tall (depth 24″) · 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
Dry heat with a clear cool-to-warm gradient, Shadedweller Max UV, and a wet box for shedding rather than high ambient humidity.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 82 °F (28 °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) | 82 °F (28 °C) |
| Middle | 84–86 °F (29–30 °C) |
| Warm side | 90–95 °F (32–35 °C) |
| Basking spot | ~100 °F (~38 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~72 °F (~22 °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 82 °F (28 °C) for daytime once the heat bulb and sensor are in place.
03 · Nutrition
Rodent feeders sized to girth. They almost invariably feed well when kept correctly — settle first, then build a steady schedule.
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 vivarium 48″ wide × 24″ deep × 24″ tall. They are active snakes, typically 4–6 ft. Use dry pelleted straw or other dry-species bedding, at least two hides (cool and hot), branches and tunnels for enrichment, a wet box with damp moss, artificial plants, and a cool-side water bowl large enough for immersing. Heat bulb with the ¼/¼ probe method and Shadedweller Max UV.
Set the thermostat probe to 82 °F (28 °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, 84–86 °F middle, 90–95 °F warm, and around 100 °F under the basking bulb. At night reduce the thermostat by about 10 °F to around 72 °F (22 °C). Daytime heat about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer.
Although snakes are generally nocturnal, use a Shadedweller Max UV system — research supports that they may access UV during daylight hours. Mount on the ceiling. Daytime heat about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer when days are longer.
They can reach anywhere between about 4 and 6 feet. They are a subspecies of gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) found from northern Mexico through southern Canada, in grasslands, deserts and open woodlands.
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 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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