Outdoor Enclosures.

[adamanteus]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. Udo, I'll look for that book. Do you all think that the weather would really be a problem? I mean, where T. radix comes from the climate is harsher than it is here. Of course I would bring them indoors in the winter so that I can control brumation, but my thought was to let them deal with the weather, as they would in the wild. Do you think that might not work?

[Josh]

I dont really see the problem you would have.
The good factors are very highi say go for it!

[Serpentine99]

I was at a wildlife park and they had these gazebo lookin things, except it was wood frame covered in fine mesh. One was for birds and another for butterflys. they could also put tarps or clear plastic tiles over it i winter. They wouldn't be that expensive and you wouldn't have to but the winter supplies if you were bringing the snakes inside.

[Thamnophis]

Maybe in Great Brittain the summers are not warm enough and maybe there is too much rain? I do not know your local circumstances.

[stonyloam]

I would think that easterns would do very well. The conditions in north central NY where I grew up are much harsher (-30F in winter) than in the UK.
Seems like a little enclosure with a basking lamp could take care of the "gloomy" problem. Go for it!

[Thamnophis]

I do not think that the very low temps in winter are that important.
It is more the active periods of the snake.
But I think, with a lamp and a well suited enclosure it might work.

[Zigmund]

I would put in an outdoor enclosier if i had more space

[Stefan-A]

I'd make a decent 10 square meter indoor enclosure if I had space.

[adamanteus]

That's the kind of size I had in mind. Loads more thought and planning to go into it first though.

[zooplan]

As I know most problems in outdoor enclosures in Europe are caused by too much humidity in the spring. With a partial glas or plastic roof the snakes are doing very well the whole year.