How quickly do they grow?

[Islandzoo]

Do baby snakes grow very quickly?

also, is it necessary to keep baby snakes in a small viv/ box?

I'm going to see some babies next wednesday, I fear they may steal my heart although I was originally swaying toward an older snake.
But will it mean I will have to make/get a smaller vivarium? or is ok if Ijust start of with smaller caves/hides in there?

(I do apologise if this info is already been posted, I have looked through the husbandry and care section through various topics, reading various bits and peices and trying not to repeat too many questions,...)

 

[Hypancistrus]

I purchased a locking 20 long and have just crammed it full of all manner of hides, including grapevine (two HUGE pieces), a coconut half, and two log shelters. My hatchling spends her daytimes underneath the grapevine on the "toasty" side.

Here is a pic of how mine is set up. I added the coconut hide after this photo was taken, but it is about the size of a baseball cut in half, maybe 2.5" diameter. It sits in the tank center.

This is my first snake, but the crowded arrangement seems to be working for her.

 

[yvez9]

Your coconut hut is in that pic! lol
I'm pretty sure if you put odd shped decorations, the snake will find a way to hide tightly somewhere, Nobody drops terra cotta pots in their natural habitat, usually...

 

[Brooklynyte]

Picture didnt show Hypancistrus.
I'm no expert but as far as I have learned on this site most say they do NOT need to be kept in small tanks. I have baby blizzard and for now he resides in a 10 gallon tank with 4 locking clips at the top. I need to fill it up some more with some stuff he could climb on and leafy things. Click the thumbnail for larger view.

 

[stuart]

I wouldnt say they grow THAT quickly...

Ive had mine for 4 years, since he was a foot long, hes now about 4 foot long and he still looks pretty small.

Heres a pic I just took of him, about 15mins ago with him on my hand. Its not the best of pics, taken with my phone in very bad lighting. But it still shows an idea of size. If it helps :eek1:

Pics a little big for the site, so rather than post it here, Ill just give you a link to it. HERE

Stuart

 

[stingsmom]

I have a similar setup here with a 20 gallon.

My hatchling likes to hide under the car, under the wood, or behind the wood, although I also see tunnel holes in the aspen, and a path around the perimeter of the tank. On the cool side, I have a damp hide (plastic kids' snack container) and a halved paper towel roll. I have "grapevine envy" , but I had to put something off 'til later!

Most of my hides are plastic items that I already had on hand for fish tanks. But after my first two days of snake keeping (referencing my "Hiding or Escaped?" thread), I recommend making sure that any "hollow logs" or other aquarium decor items don't have any offshoot passages where your hatchling can hole up for days and you can't reach or see it!).

I put the brown backdrop around the tank because this room is very well lighted, and the white walls just felt very "exposed." It makes it a little more difficult to spot my hatchling, but he does seem to be calming down, and he's certainly eating well. (I gave him a pinky after 3 days when I planned to wait 4, but he ate it anyway).

I had planned to start out with something simple, small, and cheap for the hatchling. However, I was really concerned about the security of the plastic critter boxes. When I decided to upgrade to this sliding-top glass style, it didn't make sense to spend $25 on a 5.5 gallon vs. $55 on a 20 gallon, so he's got a big house. (I still ended up stuffing some Model Magic in a few gaps around the tank lid even so - figured a little paranoia would go a long way.)

I hope some of these ramblings have been helpful. Good luck, and welcome to the Newbie Herpers club!