big home for chondro???

**fangsalot** · #1 10-03-2005, 08:52 PM

ive read that "experts" recomend small enclosures for chondro,i have my female in a 55 gallon,is that ok?plus im havin a little difficulty keeping humidity high,if I cover part of the enclosure I wont have room for lighting.i have peat moss and some vermiculite as bedding and I keep it moist.a large water bowl on the floor.any good ideas?here she is...

**BlackJack** · #2 10-04-2005, 03:16 AM

We keep a misting bottle handy and lightly spray the chondros and their enclosure a few times a day. 70-95% humidity depending on their shed cycle is the range I've read.

I'm not sure how big 55 gallons is: could you post dimensions in inches or centimeters?
I have my babies each in enclosures measuring 2ft x 2ft x 2.5ft (LWH) and they do fine. However, the enclosures are well-insulated: they are MDF lined with linoleum flooring. The lights and the Ceramic Heat Emitter (covered with wire mesh) are mounted inside the tank.
How are you heating your enclosure?

I recommend getting Greg Maxwell's new book when it comes out "The More Complete Chondro". In the meantime, check out his website: http://www.finegtps.com/index.html
There is a ton of good info on caring for GTPs.

Good luck --- Sweet looking baby by the way! She's really got a lot of green and white coming in now! Keep posting pics!

**Merlin** · #3 10-04-2005, 09:32 AM

Andrea a 55 gal tank is 48 inches by 12 inches by 21 inches tall.

**venus** · #4 10-04-2005, 10:32 AM

Beautiful.....great another person to post chondros to make me drool.

.....keep the pics coming.

**GAsnakeman** · #5 10-06-2005, 01:40 AM

Larger enclosures cause higher stress lvels. Smaller enclosure give them more security. A 24x24x24 is what is recommended for a full grown adult by experts. I keep mine in small enclosures. I always see them in huge enclosures at zoo and they are supposed to be experts. Supposed being a key word in that sentence.

As far as your humidity. You will always be fighting a battle of keeping your hummidity up as long as you keep it in a glass enlcoser.
A few tips in keeping it up. Don't use bulbs for heat. Use Ceramic Heat Emitter's or heat pads. Bulbs rob hummidity. Use florescent bulbs for lighting. add some sphagnum moss to your substrate and mist it. Close off as much of the air flow as possible.
Don't forget. When you are constantly fighting to keep the hummidity up you may often end up with a wet enclosure instead of a damp one. Try not to let that happen and always keep a watchful eye for mold.

**BlackJack** · #6 10-06-2005, 01:25 PM

I agree with the advice on the humidity... and I realize that there is a HUGE debate in the herp world about enclosure size/stress levels.
I personally believe that stress is not a problem as long as the snake has places to hide (plants --live or fake--to hide under or behind) for a chondro; or appropriate hide boxes for other species. Assuming the enclosure is not in a high traffic area, near a lot of noise or has a cat perched on top clawing at the screen, size needn't be a stress factor. It looks like you've provided plenty of places for your chondro to hide itself if it feels insecure. I think that if she's eating regularly, the size of the enclosure isn't necessarily a problem. Mine climb around a lot at night and I'm happy that they have the space to do that. Every morning they're curled up behind or under their favorite plant, though!
Humidity is tricky... cover as much of the air holes as possible and mist the enclosure and the snake with a spray bottle a few times a day. As the temps drop at night the humidity will increase, so you shouldn't have to spray late in the evening. Glass tanks aren't ideal for keeping humidity in, but it's not impossible: get a good temp and humidity gauge and experiment with covering more of the holes and spraying. (Some people cover the screen tops with damp towels...?)
Good luck

**KrokadilyanGuy3** · #7 10-06-2005, 04:06 PM

Never had a problem with humidity and glass tanks, myself, and if you have it set up right you shouldn't either.

As for the enclosure size, from what I see, these experts keep Chondros in a smaller enclosures simply because it's easier to seclude a smaller area, easier to maintain humidity and is simply easier to maintain in any aspect. The size of the enclosure is of no importance if you can successfully provide the needs that the animal would need to minimize stress. This is why Zoo and other facilities with large enclosures can keep their animals in larger enclosures. Way I see it, if you're lazy, go smaller, if you have the attitude to present something spiffy on a larger scale, do it.

**GAsnakeman** · #8 10-06-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrokadilyanGuy3

Never had a problem with humidity and glass tanks, myself, and if you have it set up right you shouldn't either.

As for the enclosure size, from what I see, these experts keep Chondros in a smaller enclosures simply because it's easier to seclude a smaller area, easier to maintain humidity and is simply easier to maintain in any aspect. The size of the enclosure is of no importance if you can successfully provide the needs that the animal would need to minimize stress. This is why Zoo and other facilities with large enclosures can keep their animals in larger enclosures. Way I see it, if you're lazy, go smaller, if you have the attitude to present something spiffy on a larger scale, do it.

I keep mine in smaller enclosures not b/c of lazyness, but b/c I have a very large collection and lack of space. None of mine are in enclosures any smaller than recommended. Some in enclosures much larger than recommended.
Plus, I work 14 hours a day and don't have time to clean and maintain huge enclosures.

To be honest. I really don't appreciate you making that comment. I have no doubt that you were not meaning me specificly, but you have no idea about anyone else's situation other than your own to say that they should only go with a smaller enclosure out of lazyness. There are many reasons why smaller enclosures might be used.

**Merlin** · #9 10-06-2005, 06:57 PM

I think that was just a poor choice of words. It does take a lot of work to maintain a large zoo type exhibit. It also takes a lot of effort to properly maintain numerous smaller size enclosures.
What you use as far as size goes just depends on the individual situation and what you are trying to accomplish.

**Lyn** · #10 10-06-2005, 08:00 PM

I agree...as my collection grows and grows, I have to use the minimum size cage for each particular species....it works, the animals are happy, non stressed, and comfy....its whatever works for you and your situation....Lyn


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