Pantherophis obsoletus (Sensu Lato)

Enclosed, well-ventilated terrarium of the semi-arboreal type. Fit a lockable lid: this is a powerful snake and a skilled escape artist.

Minimum dimensions for an adult; bigger is always better. Provide height with sturdy branches, platforms and cork bark, plus several hides on the ground and up high. A 200 cm individual ideally deserves 150 cm of length or more.

A moderate environment; temporarily raise to 60-70 % during sheds via a humid hide ("shed box"). Avoid stagnant humidity and a waterlogged substrate, which are sources of skin and respiratory infections.

An absorbent substrate that allows burrowing. Ban cedar and pine shavings (toxic oils). Preferably feed outside the enclosure or on a clean surface to prevent substrate ingestion.

Not strictly essential if the whole-prey diet is balanced, but low UVB (index 5-6 % / Ferguson zone 1-2) is beneficial and promotes more natural behaviour and metabolism in this diurnal species. Always provide a shade gradient.

A large container of clean water, wide enough to let the snake soak, renewed regularly. Also useful to help with sheds.

North America: central and southern United States, from the Mississippi Valley westward to Texas, Nebraska and Louisiana. Found in forests, woodland edges, farmland and around buildings.

Carnivore (rodent-eater) — Appropriately sized rodents (mice, then rats), frozen-thawed; occasionally chicks or quail.

Match the prey to the width of the snake (about 1 to 1.5 times the body diameter). Juveniles every 5-7 days, adults every 10-14 days. A predator of eggs and birds in the wild; an excellent climber. Watch for obesity in inactive adults.

Clutch 5–25 eggs/young. A clutch of 5 to 25 eggs (often 10-15) after a period of winter cooling (brumation) that stimulates breeding. Incubation of about 55-70 days at around 26-28 °C. Not protected by CITES; a species commonly bred in captivity.

• Respiratory infections (often linked to an environment that is too cold or too humid)
• Dysecdysis / poor sheds (insufficient humidity), retained eye caps
• Mites (Ophionyssus) and internal parasites, especially in wild-caught individuals
• Obesity from overfeeding and lack of activity
• Stomatitis ("mouth rot") and thermal burns caused by unguarded heating equipment