Caging:
First and most important
the cage should be secure and escape proof with a lock
is highly recomended! WDBs should be housed seperatly except during
breeding season to reduce the chance of feeding struggles. Cages
do not need to be tall as WDBs are terrestrial and
do not climb. I recomend a cage that is twice the
perimeter as the snake is long. My smaller specimins are kept in a
24wX24DX12h cage, my texas specimins are kept in
a 36wX24dX12h or 48wX24dX12h enclosure.
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Environmental
conditions: Diamondbacks
can and will tolerate a wider variety of temperature variant then most
rattlesnakes. I maintain mine at around 80-85 for a high
and let temps drop to as low as 75 at
night. Western Diamondbacks are from more arid regions
and will do best with lower humidity levels. This will also come
into play for breeding. A small water dish "I
use 3in crock style" should be provided with water at all
times. I also mist the cage weekly as many snakes
will not drink directly from the bowl.
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Feeding: I recomend feeding
1 meal every 7-10days of appropiate size. Snakes if housed
together should be seperated or watched
very closely during feedings as feeding
struggles may occur. live feedings are acceptable as long as
the snake strikes the food item readily allthough i highly
recomend winning them over to prekilled food.
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Breeding: Usually occurs in
early spring with offspring being born in late august early
September.
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