Keeping Large Snakes - Expert Advice

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

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[@CatharticOutlet]

Based on the plethora of awful setups seen online, it seems like the vast majority of big snake keepers have no business keeping those animals in the first place. But it's great to see examples like Dougie's demonstrating how to treat these animals right!

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Yes, it’s quite sad how the average reticulated python rather large snake is kept. Hopefully more people aspire to be more like Dougie!

[@DomDemreptiles]

To each their own if you can’t build it don’t get the reptile

[@robhutchanimation]

Seeing Dougie's giant reptile habitats when scrolling through Facebook are always a highlight of my day. He's one of the rare keepers that provide these giant animals with appropriate sized and wonderfully enriched enclosures. The only time anyone should own these animals is if they can provide this same level of care. I've met far too many people keeping/breeding 10ft+ pythons in 4ft enclosures that they called "the big cages". The reptile hobby is overrun with people that mistreat these animals, both unintentionally from outdated information or intentionally from refusing to improve their husbandry and accept new data.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Yeah, exactly! If you read reptile magazines article on reticulated python care, the recommended enclosure size is 8 feet long 😳 written by Brewer of course!

[@anntowle1706]

I think if someone has the ability and desire to keep giant reptiles appropriately it's fine but I think they are over-bred and too easily available. I believe that wherever any animals are sold, their life expectancy, adult size, and basic care need to be posted. Also, children shouldn't be allowed to acquire an animal without an adult. The well-being of the animal needs to be taken into consideration before its purchase.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Very well said, Ann!

[@soccermomsleeper7380]

Love this episode! As a retic keeper who stresses the need for large enclosures, especially height, I hope to have walk ins someday! I have males that aren’t nearly that large though.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you very much for watching! 😊

[@SamGlife]

Great video! As a British keeper this was very interesting for me to hear how he deals with heating and outdoor care of some of his animals .🙂

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching!

[@yzettasmith4194]

It's ethical if and only if you have the ways and means to keep them properly. Most people don't.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Yep, 100%

[@jamesjabs3517]

My first retic was definitely an impulse purchase but with work and more research that I have put in since he's doing great. I keep a couple of mainland retics now, will have them in room-sized enclosures soon. But honestly, I've gotten "Dwarfs" that get to 17+ feet so either most people who sell dwarfs are lying or a retic will get as big as a retic can with proper feeding and supplements.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Yeah I have definitely seen a few "dwarfs" get massive! Unless you are buying from a very thorough breeder... you probably just have to assume any retic has the potential of keeping huge!

[@honeybeeart9382]

I think Dougie is one of the best examples of how large reptiles should be kept. I feel like there are several things we can do to maybe curb irresponsible owners. Right now, reptiles and amphibians are not protected by any cruelty laws in the US, that's why you see so many large reptiles horribly mistreated, shoved into tiny boxes and why loud voices in the industry disregard science to encourage subpar care in favor of sales. Also, we need to utilize science based information to establish minimal care for all these large species as well. If the laws dictated yes, you can have anything you want, BUT you have to be able to provide X, Y & Z-based on scientific/veterinary information, it might be a way to scare away the hoarders and abusers. I know many folks are against licenses, but I think if money were generated thru them, it might be a way to establish a better standard of care and cooperation with local agencies. Also, hearing the situations these primates come from is heartbreaking. Animals that have complex social structures in the wild can never be replaced in captivity by only human owners, because humans have lives and can never be there 100% like another animal would be in the wild and they are hardwired for that. Being hardwired to move around normally for their species should be a no brainer so people who cannot provide what they need should just not have them.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Thanks for watching and providing you wonderful insight! :)

[@robynparker1416]

So amazing to hear him talk about the importance of how you lay out enclosures. I have seen some people make the WORST use out of the space the provide but equally seen animals in the basic minimum AAL standard and kit the encloses out to be amazing, interactive, three dimensional spaces. Such a great guy and his animals are all in immaculate condition.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Thanks for watching, Robyn!

[@fluffbungle6533]

good episode. i find myself quite conflicted on the subject of giant snakes. in many ways i do think a license would be more applicable but as dougie said, its an admin issue and asking any authority to spend more is a bad idea. i would much prefer to see breeders showing some brutal vetting of buyers and breeding less. at least that way it would filter out some people but it would never work unless everyone is held to a standard. he may have looked at it but dougie may want to check out some of the solar heating options. a site i used to be warden for had a 4mx2m solar heater which ran the hot water for the offices and showers, and that was a 15 year old set up so very rudimentary. its circumstantial as far as the weather goes but its very effective for underfloor heating so having a system in place could make sustaining ambient temps cheaper.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Good tip about the solar heating! And yes, I suffer from the same confliction regarding licensing/permits. It seems like such a great idea, until you ask who will be monitoring them? The last thing we need is government officials/non-reptile folks having control over permits. I tend to agree with you, I think the breeders need to do a better job vetting their clients

[@fluffbungle6533]

@@AnimalsatHomePodcast absolutely true. which is proven recently with the EU having banned Lampropeltis getula. there is an invasive population in one area so the officials have blanket banned them across a massive range, whether they can survive there or not, so that they dont have to do it region by region. officials dont use common sense, just the path of least resistance.

[@Cumbria_Constrictors]

Love Dougie and especially his keeping, can tell all those animals are happy 😊❤

[@mikeyben6144]

Amazing episode 👏. Had to watch this episode on KZbin to see the images. Dougie is incredible. To think I was enjoying the company of lemurs and chatting with the keeper at a small zoo. Definitely reflecting on today.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Yes, I saw that you visited the zoo yesterday! Looks like it was fun. Thanks for watching episode, Mikey!

[@mikeyben6144]

@@AnimalsatHomePodcast I prioritize it over weekend household chores.😁 Whether it's KZbin or Spotify, I'm on it. Sincerely, thank you so much for the work you do🙏.

[@snakemannn1744]

Well done ,,, i did enjoy this episode ,,, it was good '

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@MalcolmCrabbe]

4Kw of heaters per enclosure... bet the recent hike in electricity costs has been crippling. - Stunning encloses, very inspirational. Interesting video.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Yeah… I really can’t imagine how high his electrical bill must be! Thanks for watching, Malcolm 🙂

[@reggie8370]

As always, awesome topics. Always deep and detailed

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it, Reggie! Thank you for watching

[@snakemannn1744]

i did enjoy ,,,,,, lots of good stuff ,,, well explained ,,, thanks for the cast '

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it! Dougie is awesome to chat with

[@tommyarton194]

Amazing video. I love Dougie's ideas and enclosures! Truly inspiring for my retic and Nile monitor!

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Thank you for watching, Tommy! Glad the episode can provide a little inspiration for you

[@rickcroney1286]

Very good episode! I have seen Dougie's enclosure in the past and have drawn inspiration to design the interiors of my snake enclosures. While I don't keep giant snakes, the same principles were applied to our Spotted Python, Corn snake and the Dumeril's Boa enclosure I'm working on right now. It's so important to provide the absolute best you can for the species that you have taken into your care. I gained some new ideas today, more work me...lol!

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Thanks Rick! I’m really looking forward to watching the progression of your current Dumeril build! Looks like it’s gonna be an awesome set up!

[@rickcroney1286]

@@AnimalsatHomePodcast thanks, I hope the vision in my head comes out as planned...lol

[@420bandit]

Many people shouldnt own house plants. The problem is saying we shouldnt own these because of the people that shouldnt, then the people that are more then capable are being punished for something that has nothing to do with them. People need to be held responsible for there own actions and choice as well as sellers need to vet there customers properly for these big animals that may end up in the news and hurt our hobby. Like i said some people shouldnt own house plants but doesnt mean no1 should. If you have the space and funds and time for these amazing animals, then by all means thats your choice, if you dont have space and funds fr these animals and your found with them and there sick not healthy not well-kept then u should be charged with animals abuse.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Completely agree!

[@johanneshonka3527]

Smashing episode. Thanks chaps!

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Thank you for watching!

[@learningformyreptiles1195]

I live where it is like 4-6 months, depends on the year, that I can keep most outside, so I will have some sheds made to hold enclosures and the walls of the shed wilbe able to move and have an outdoors enclosures, I just love the idea, it should save some space

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

That sounds like an incredible set up!

[@learningformyreptiles1195]

@@AnimalsatHomePodcast I can't wait, I have seen massive cabins that slide, so why not a shed with an enclosure

[@learningformyreptiles1195]

@@AnimalsatHomePodcast the full daydream, is a pond with waterfall in the yard, multiple moving sheds for enclosures, a shop for my small company, and maybe a very small campground or cabins for family and friends and families with handicap kids to have a vacation and help me, what an experience that would be for them. And maybe get the latest equipment and find a person that needs a vet practice and start one with them.

[@yzettasmith4194]

It sounds like Mr. Smith needs to talk to Lori Torrini. Target training the snakes would make viv upkeep so much easier and safer.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Yes, I completely agree!

[@zachheisen5022]

Would need a target the size of a trashcan lid for that lol

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

@@zachheisen5022 🤣 true

[@learningformyreptiles1195]

I thought he was saying palm, no pond. Love both,

[@davtacoma]

I’ve always admired his enclosures but wondered how he would handle snake mites if/when he ever gets them. Sure would be hard to eraticate them in this type of enclosure.

[@luwildy]

The biggest I would get would be a boa 21 ft is a bit much haha

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Ha ha! Same here… Anything over 7 feet sounds way too big for me

[@mremad8056]

Really wonderful ❤️

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Thank you for watching!

[@learningformyreptiles1195]

Banning is never really worked. It just sends most underground

[@fanof03always]

Can you do a episode on what benefits a Ball Python better..Light as heat source or Belly heat AKA heat panels....I have done my own research and it seems that belly heat is a better option for these animals...

[@Nathansexoticsandmore]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYDScoCppKt8mck There is an amazing video by Liam, Reptile and Research that I’d highly recommend you watch! 😁

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Why do you think so? The sun is above, not below.

[@fanof03always]

@@johnschlesinger2009 why do you think ball python spend most their lives in a cave and only use heat from a rock..BP are nocturnal and don't bask in sun light..

[@CatharticOutlet]

What sources have you been looking at? Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation online... The myth that belly heat is the most important heat source has been debunked a long time ago. There are multipe epidsodes of the animals at home podcast and videos by other creators on heating and lighting that go into more detail if you want to understand the science behind it. Based on our current knowledge, the heat lamp is the best and most natural heat source compared to the other options, as it provides top-down heat and emits infrared A and B, which is the most efficient way for a reptile to warm its body (even for nocturnal animals like ball pythons).

[@fanof03always]

@@CatharticOutlet just some of the most respected breeders in the industry...hense the reason why I asked the question..there is such a divided number that say..this is the way..I never said this is the only way..I only said which is more beneficial for the animal...90 % of all reptile owners will say that we need to replicate as close to thier natural life's as possible...Hense if you do your research BP spend 95% of thier lives in the dark and not out in the sun...therefore the only way they get heat in their natural life is from a source that's been heated by sunlight and they lay over that heated surface to aide in digestion...I have rescued several BP'S from lighted enclosures that can't keep humidity at the correct levels...yet 100% of the owners that switch to bioactive and heat mats for belly heat..or just belly heat and natural light from a window have full sheds and happier BP'S...I 100% agree that UVB and UVA are beneficial..but not lighting as a heat source..

[@johnschlesinger2009]

What an amazing guy. Those enclosures are fabulous. But I question the wisdom of giving such large meals: these are opportunistic feeders, and will eat huge amounts, but I don't think it's healthy.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Thanks for watching, John! I agree, his enclosures are stunning. And yes, I think there’s definitely a few schools of thought when it comes to feeding. One thing I will see in Dougie’s favour is his animals are incredibly lean. So whatever he’s doing isn’t resulting in overweight animals. But as you said, ingesting huge meals may Pose more of a risk.

[@zachheisen5022]

they can burn off those calories due to the size and layout of the enclosure so it isnt as big of a problem most likely

[@cryptosporidium01]

Large snakes eat antelopes in the wild. They are definitely adapted to huge meals. The important thing is to let them months without eating.

[@learningformyreptiles1195]

I tell people that if one of my nephews wants a snake, I'm going to make them watch the video that this guy's talking about, and until they can tell me what going on and what the problems are and actually understand it, then and only then will I approve them getting a snake.

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

Yep, that’s a good idea 👍🏼

[@richjennett5867]

Jonny nice N.Irish accent 😁

[@AnimalsatHomePodcast]

It was a fun accent to listen to 😁