Pros/Cons for keeping a Diamond Python outside.

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tezzajw

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I know that Diamond Pythons are not native to Melbourne. it's a little too cold here in Winter.

Has anyone kept them outside in a modified garden shed? If so, what are the pros and cons? To me, being outside would be better with natural sun and hibernation cycles.

I was thinking along the lines of a fully closed roof, two closed sides (back and side) and two securely meshed sides (front and side) of a 6 x 8 foot shed. In one corner, I could put a hot box for Winter, with a simple heat lamp inside. I'd be looking for maybe a 3 to 4 foot python, so it will be large enough to secure without escaping through tiny gaps.

Thanks for any replies, explaining the pros or cons of doing this.
 
Sorry i couldnt help myself

Actually QLD is not a good place for them. he humidity is way too high for a diamond.

I reckon you are in a good spot to keep them outside. They like their temps up around 26c so if you have trouble getting that down there you can always add a heat source to help. Otherwise, outdoor living for diamonds would be ideal for them. Natural sunlight as they please and low humidity.

I can't comment on the structure of your snakery but it sounds like something I'd love to have in my yard.
 
Hi,
would the roof be tin? Could it get to hot if the sun is beaming on it for a few hours?
I wanna keep my diamonds outside to so this thread will give me a bit of info!
 
Keeping them outside allows for fresh air, larger enclosure, proper day/night cycles and the animal will experiences all season changes. But careful consideration is needed for the design of the aviary, as well as very hot and very cold days. Much of this can be eliminated if kept outdoors.

Keeping them indoors CAN be the best way to keep diamonds, and allows for accurate temperature control(which is the most important aspect of diamond keeping...moreso than being kept outdoors with access to sunlight), an exceptable(and more importantly, SAFE!) cooling period with no extremes, continual feeding during cold/rainy weeks and UV light can be provided (although i dont believe it's necessary).
 
Interesting thread...These are the pros and cons I can think of..

PROS
  • You will save on electricity, thus saving you money annually and ruducing carbon emmissions.
  • You will create more space inside your house.
  • You will save money on incadecsent bulbs that never last as long as they claim to.
  • You will be providing them with natural sunlight that is extremely benificial for diamonds
  • You will be imitating their natural habitat more accurately. (natural variables such as wind, rain etc etc)
CONS
  • Exposure to extreme or excessive temperature could be fatal. (hot or cold)
  • Theres a chance your snake could get mites.
  • You wont have the best looking python in the world in your loungeroom to admire..lol
Well theres just a few I could think of, lets see what everyone else has to add:)
 
hey i live in brisbane and i just brought my first diamond a few weeks ago. quite alot of us brissie peeps keep diamonds without any probs. it all comes down to proper care for the reptile.
 
hey i live in brisbane and i just brought my first diamond a few weeks ago. quite alot of us brissie peeps keep diamonds without any probs. it all comes down to proper care for the reptile.

Zoocam

I don't think he meant you cant keep diamonds in Brisbane lol, or that people who keep them in Brisbane don't look after them, He was stating that diamonds don't naturally acure to Brisbane, the same as how their not native to Melbourne and that keeping them outside in Brisbane may get to hot and/or humid.

Oh and for the record I do not keep diamonds and I do not live in Brisbane (gotta love Cairns and outdoor scrubby enclosures :)) So I am not stating what I jsut wrote as fact I am just pointing out what I think he was trying to get across.

Scorps
 
Thanks for the replies so far. Cool.

With regards to the enclosure, I was thinking of buying a typical 6x8 foot (or similar size) garden shed and cutting out two sides to replace with mesh. That way, the enclosure would always have partial shade and cover from the rain/sun.

The roof would be all metal, so it could get hot on 40 degree Melbourne days, sure. However, most sheds are around 6 foot tall, so the snake could probably curl up in a shaded spot on the ground?

I've got room for a 10 x 15 foot shed if I want to, so I'll see what I might be able to come up with by next Summer. A larger floor area should allow me to use a larger water container for the snake to lay in on hot days?

I prefer my enclosures to be as natural as possible. Grass and weeds growing doesn't bother me, they attract insects. None of my lizards have tick problems outside, so I hope that a snake would be ok as well. I keep Blue Tongues in a 20 x 14 x 6 foot all mesh enclosure, with no problems.
 
I have done a fair bit of research into this myself, and I have concluded that it CAN be done, and very succesfully. It requires artificial heating and some careful design, but overall seems to be a great option for Diamonds.

Your setup would ideally have:

2 closed wall sides. NOT just tin, it needs more insulation. Covering the outside walls with climbing plants is ideal - keeps out the hottest sun, and retains the heat in. Many top architects overseas are using this for actual buildings now! Climbing leafy plants on 2 - 3 sides, plus the roof, will be ideal in avoiding sharp temperature changes!

Heat in winter - providing 2 heated areas is ideal - one in the natural sunlight (a heat cord under a basking platform / area) and the other in a dark area (a heat mat in a hide)

Cool options in summer - in nature, Diamonds sometimes go into underground burrows to escape the heat. You can dig a nice burrow, and even line it if you prefer. Just make sure that it will not fill with water in rain - it needs a 'roof'

Make sure that at EVERY point ot the day, there is shade. You need to observe this for a whole day in each season.

Be very vigilant with temperature checking. If the day is very hot or cold, go out and check the temps, and provide extra heat or cooling if required.

In summer, another great option is a 'Coolgardie Safe' type setup, taken from early Australian settlers - have a hide or perch, in the shade, with a bucket of water on top. Hand a long piece of cloth from the bucket, draping down on each of three sides of the hide / perch. This slowly drips water down the sides, and VOILA a little evaporative cooling, nature-style!
 
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