Quote Originally Posted by OregonHerpaholic View Post
>Works OK if you want to "warehouse" a lot of snakes.

I currently have 2 racks that used to house 30+ snakes. I am now down to about a dozen.

> How are providing the necessary heat and light in a plastic shoe box?

Heated Rack system, heat tape and lighted room with timer

>Breeding doesn't just "happen". It's induced by changes of the season. They must come out of a winter period thinking it's spring.

I did the cooling thing this year. Had to bring them out because I found mites. This is my 3rd year with these garters and 2nd trying to breed them, I got 1 single baby and LOTS of slugs

>As tempting as it may be to substitute items from outside, I wouldn't recommend it.

I NEVER use ANYTHING from the "wild", never have and never will

yes, I agree it's definitely possible to meet all of a snake's needs with a plastic tub! The tubs make it easier to control temps and humidity. But they don't work very well for more active snakes that want to have stuff to explore and enjoy, as you have come here to point out!

I don't think you want to create a totally naturalistic viv that mimics outside... I think you are just looking to give them a setup that's a bit more stimulating to their senses... am I correct?