• Adult minimum: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H (120×60×60 cm) — bigger is better.

• Height matters: they climb; provide vertical structure and a secure, front-opening vivarium.

• Young snakes can start in adult-sized enclosures if escape-proof and stuffed with hides/cover.

• Ventilation + security: tight-fitting doors/lid, no gaps, reliable latches (they’re escape artists).

• No cohabitation

Best options (naturalistic & humidity-friendly)

• DIY mix (e.g., topsoil + ReptiSoil + play sand), or other loose, clean, particulate substrates that allow burrowing (≥3" depth).

• Add leaf litter; spot-clean routinely; full refresh every ~3–4 months.

Avoid

• Cedar/pine (aromatic oils → respiratory/neurologic issues).

• At least 2+ tight hides (warm & cool), plus a damp hide.

• Thick climbing branches, ledges, cork tubes, cluttered cover; safe plants (live or artificial).

• Large, heavy water bowl (big enough to soak).

• Ensure all fixtures outside the enclosure or fully guarded.

Daily: spot-clean waste; refresh water; quick temp/humidity check (with probes).

Weekly: wipe high-traffic surfaces; rinse/replace humid-hide moss.

Monthly/Quarterly: remove and replace substrate (or deep-clean sections), disinfect decor/enclosure with reptile-safe disinfectant (e.g., F10/Rescue); inspect and test thermostats/probes.

Daylight cycle

• 12 hrs light / 12 hrs dark (seasonal 13/11 summer/winter is fine).

UVB (recommended)

• Target UVI ~2.0–3.0 at the basking zone using a T5 HO 5–6% tube; confirm with a Solarmeter 6.5 if possible.

Heat

• Basking surface: ~90°F (32°C).

• Cool zone: ~75–82°F (24–27°C).

• Night: room temp or ~75°F (24°C). Turn off lighted heat at night; use non-light heat only if room is too cool (hatchlings benefit from warmer nights).

Humidity

• Average: 65–75% (allow natural day/night fluctuation). Provide a humid hide.

What to feed

• Whole-prey rodents (F/T preferred). Offer prey ≈ 1–1.5× the snake’s widest body width; total prey mass around ~10% of body weight for lean animals.

How often (typical)

• Hatchlings: every 7–10 days

• Juveniles: every 7–14 days

• Adults: every 14–21 days

Basics

• Thaw/warm feeders safely; use tongs; no handling for ~48 hrs after meals; always verify temps are in range before feeding.

• Start after the snake is eating reliably; begin with short sessions.

• Frequency: 1–2×/week (not more than daily).

• Technique: approach from the side, support the body with two hands; avoid head restraint; use a hook tap to distinguish handling from feeding.

• Do NOT handle within ~48 hrs post-feeding or during blue (pre-shed).

Watch for

• Respiratory signs: wheeze/clicks, open-mouth breathing, bubbles/stringy saliva, head held elevated, lethargy, appetite loss.

• Stomatitis (mouth rot): reddened/swollen gums, caseous (cheesy) deposits, drool, face rubbing; appetite drop.

• Mites: tiny moving black/brown specks (esp. around eyes/chin/folds), excessive soaking, restlessness.

• Regurgitation (esp. <48h post-meal), stuck sheds, burns, sudden weight loss.

Actions

• If RI or stomatitis signs → minimize handling, verify warm side/basking temps, optimize humidity/ventilation, contact an ARAV-listed reptile vet.

• For mites → treat animal AND environment; follow a proven protocol; discard porous items if infested; quarantine.

• After a regurge → no food ~2 weeks; correct temps; smaller prey next time; strict no-handling after future meals.

Laws & transport

• U.S. regulations vary by state/city (native wildlife, possession limits, sales). Check local/state rules before acquiring, transporting, or selling. The federal Lacey Act prohibits trade in wildlife taken/possessed in violation of any state/federal/tribal law.

• Use secure, ventilated containers for transport; label if required.

Public health

• Assume all reptiles can carry Salmonella; wash hands after contact with the animal, enclosure, or feeders; keep out of kitchens/food-prep areas; supervise children/high-risk people.

Electrical & heat safety

• EVERY heat source on a thermostat; verify with digital probes and an IR temp gun. Guard bulbs/panels; use GFCI-protected outlets in humid rooms; drip loops on cords.

Enclosure security

• Reliable latches/locks; no tape inside; inspect vents/gaps. No cohab for novices.

Enclosure & hardware

□ 48×24×24" (or larger) front-opening enclosure with mesh top

□ T5 HO UVB (5–6%) linear fixture; timer (12h on/12h off)

□ Halogen flood(s) for basking + ceramic-socket dome(s) + dimming/proportional thermostat

□ Digital probe thermometers/hygrometers (x2) + IR temp gun

□ Optional: Solarmeter 6.5 to verify UVI at bask

Habitat

□ Loose, clean substrate (≥3") + leaf litter

□ 2–3 tight hides (warm/cool/humid) + cork tubes

□ Climbing branches/ledges + sturdy background

□ Heavy water bowl (soakable)

Feeding & care

□ Feeding tongs; F/T rodents sized appropriately

□ Digital kitchen scale (track weight and feeders)

□ Disinfectant (F10/Rescue), paper towels, spare décor

□ Quarantine tub and extra thermostat/probe (for new arrivals)