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Is Keeping Snakes In Rubbermaid Containers Safe?

Over the last year or so, more and more people have been adding a pet snake to their family and this is great to see as snakes really do have a bad reputation and most species of snakes can make great pets!

With the popularity of keeping snakes as pets increasing, we are seeing more and more people reaching out and asking a wide range of questions about how they should be keeping their snakes to offer them the best care possible.

We constantly see people reaching out with questions about what their snakes are able to live in and we have seen more and more questions about keeping snakes in Rubbermaid containers recently.

Due to this being somewhat controversial within the snake keeping community, we wanted to publish this article to try and clear a few things up for as many of our readers as possible.

Can I Keep My Snake In A Rubbermaid Container?

If you are looking for a cheap, short-term home for your snake, a Rubbermaid container is a great option. However, it is important to keep in mind that some species of snake need plenty of space to move around and a Rubbermaid container may not be big enough for your pet snake.

Another thing to keep in mind is that snakes can overheat quickly, so if you are keeping your snake in a Rubbermaid container, it is important to make sure that there are plenty of ventilation holes drilled into the container.

The opposite is also true too depending on your location and the type of snake you keep as it can be difficult to keep a temperature high enough for your snake in a Rubbermaid container in some situations too.

You will also need to provide your snake with a lid as they can be escape artists! We recommend keeping the lid on at all times when your snake is not being supervised as they will be able to escape through even the smallest of gaps.

If you are keeping your snake in a Rubbermaid container, we recommend using a bedding material such as cypress mulch, aspen shavings or coco coir as these will hold moisture well and help to keep the humidity levels up for your pet snake.

Why Would You Want To Keep A Snake In A Rubbermaid Container?

There are actually a few reasons why keeping your snake in a Rubbermaid container can be beneficial.

For example, if you need to move your snake from one location to another, a Rubbermaid container is the perfect way to do this as it will protect your snake during transport.

Another reason why people choose to keep their snakes in Rubbermaid containers is that they can be used as a temporary home whilst you are cleaning out your snake’s enclosure.

This is a great option as it means that your snake does not have to go without an enclosure for a long period of time and it also means that you can clean their enclosure thoroughly without having to worry about where your snake is going to go.

Some people will temporarily quarantine their snakes in Rubbermaid containers too. This is a great way to do it as it means that you can be sure that your snake does not have any diseases or parasites before adding them to your main snake enclosure.

Some snake breeders will also use Rubbermaid containers to house their snakes in when they first hatch as it is a great way to keep them safe and secure.

What Types Of Snake Can Live In A Rubbermaid Container?

As we mentioned earlier, some snakes need plenty of space to move around and a Rubbermaid container is not going to be suitable for them.

However, there are some species of snake that do well in Rubbermaid containers.

Some of the most popular snakes that can live in Rubbermaid containers include:

  • Corn snakes
  • Garter snakes
  • Ribbon snakes

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list and there are other snakes that can live in Rubbermaid containers too. Corn snakes tend to be the most common species kept in Rubbermaid containers but other small snake species can also be housed in them too. Just keep in mind that this should only ever be a temporary solution!

It is always best to do your research before getting a snake to make sure that you are getting a species that is suitable for your individual circumstances.

What Size Rubbermaid Container Do I Need For A Snake?

The size of the Rubbermaid container that you need for your snake will depend on the size and species of snake that you have.

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend getting a Rubbermaid container that is at least 10 gallons for a small snake such as a garter snake.

If you are just keeping hatchling snakes in your Rubbermaid container for a couple of days then the 5.7L tubs can work well but this should only be for a matter of days rather than weeks.

Is It Cruel To Keep A Snake In A Rubbermaid Container?

This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on your own personal opinion.

Some people feel that keeping snakes in Rubbermaid containers is cruel as they do not have enough space to move around and they cannot display their natural behaviors.

Other people feel that as long as the Rubbermaid container is set up correctly then there is no reason why a snake cannot live happily in one.

If you are considering keeping a snake in a Rubbermaid container then we recommend doing plenty of research to make sure that you are providing them with everything they need to be happy and healthy.

Also, please remember that a Rubbermaid container is only a temporary home for a snake and should never be used as a long-term solution!

Is A Rubbermaid Container Escape Proof For Snakes?

Escape proofing your Rubbermaid container is vital if you are keeping snakes in one.

One of the most common ways that snakes escape from Rubbermaid containers is by pushing up on the lid and popping it off.

To prevent this from happening, we recommend getting a lid that has a locking mechanism or attaching some clips to the inside of the container to hold the lid in place.

Another way that snakes can escape from Rubbermaid containers is by squeezing through the gaps around the lid.

To prevent this, we recommend getting a rubbermaid container that is slightly bigger than your snake and then using something like expanding foam to fill in any gaps around the lid.

Is It East to Control The Temperature In A Rubbermaid Container For A Snake?

One of the main concerns people have when keeping snakes in Rubbermaid containers is controlling the temperature.

Snakes are cold-blooded creatures and rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature.

This means that if the temperature in their enclosure is too hot or too cold then it can have a serious impact on their health.

One of the best ways to control the temperature in a Rubbermaid container is to use a heat mat.

A heat mat is a device that you can place underneath the Rubbermaid container that will emit heat.

You can then use a thermostat to control the temperature of the heat mat and make sure that it stays at the correct temperature for your snake.

Another way to control the temperature in a Rubbermaid container is to use a heat lamp. A heat lamp is a light bulb that emits heat as well as light.

You can then use a thermostat to control the temperature of the heat lamp and make sure that it stays at the correct temperature for your snake.

As we mentioned earlier in the article though, the main disadvantage of keeping snakes in Rubbermaid containers is due it being so difficult to maintain a steady temperature with this being much harder than most people think.