Here we go again.. temperature question.

[iLikeSneks]

Below I'm including a a picture of my costum built cage. I think I'm having an issue with ambient temperature. My house's temperature is mostly between 70-75. I live in central FL so no winter here, temperature is central AC controlled.
The lighting in the cage is always on (I got a daylight and a red light for night time) making the hot spot ambient temperature ~90°F but bringing the cool side up to 80°F.
This caused my snake to spend 99% of the time in the cool side even after it ate which when I had him on the tub he would go straight to the hot spot after a meal.
Noticing this I dimmed the light to cool down the hot spot but this lowered the cool side ambient to ~70-75°F and apparently made it so cool that it climbed up to the light (making me think he escaped).

Base on my setup I would appreciate some comments on what I'm doing wrong and any suggestions on how I could fix it.
Thanks!

Here is my cage


And this is when I thought he escaped 😂

[KMG]

If the temps are in the correct range it does not matter which side the snake stays on. Many of my snakes hardly ever use their hotspot and they digest fine.

Get an IR temp gun so you can know a more accurate surface temp of all the areas in the cage.

[BPGator]

Is the light your only heat source?


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[KMG]

I'd make a close out to take away the gap your snake was able to climb into. cutting a square for it should be a snap. Cut it, sand it, paint it, install it.

[iLikeSneks]

If the temps are in the correct range it does not matter which side the snake stays on. Many of my snakes hardly ever use their hotspot and they digest fine.

Get an IR temp gun so you can know a more accurate surface temp of all the areas in the cage.

I do have an IR. Hot Spot top of the pyramid gets the hottest at 95 F. Everything else is in the 80- 90 range.

Is the light your only heat source?


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It is, though I didn't think it too necessary because the top of the substrate was getting warm enough. However, I have thought of ways to sneak a UTH in there and will probably do with the current set of fixes I'm doing to it now.

I'd make a close out to take away the gap your snake was able to climb into. cutting a square for it should be a snap. Cut it, sand it, paint it, install it.

Yes I definitely know I have to take away to ability for him to get in there, but I wanted to address the cause first.

[BPGator]

How about remove the log, put another pyramid in the middle and allow your bulb(s) to create the original higher temp. If your hot side was 90 and cool side 70, the middle of the enclosure should be around 80. It could be he wanted to be there, but didn't feel secure in the log.

I use T8 enclosures heated with RHP and have similar temperature gradient. I have 3 hides. My snakes typically occupy the middle and cool side.


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[KMG]

Only certain meet heaters should be used inside a cage. They are not cheap.

It shouldn't be needed as your numbers sound fine.

[iLikeSneks]

How about remove the log, put another pyramid in the middle and allow your bulb(s) to create the original higher temp. If your hot side was 90 and cool side 70, the middle of the enclosure should be around 80. It could be he wanted to be there, but didn't feel secure in the log.

I use T8 enclosures heated with RHP and have similar temperature gradient. I have 3 hides. My snakes typically occupy the middle and cool side.


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I'll try that thanks.
A couple of questions though.
1- Do you have your RHP in the floor or in the wall of the cage.
2- does it increase ambient temperature?

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[iLikeSneks]

It shouldn't be needed as your numbers sound fine.

I'm really glad to hear that. This is my first snake. I've had him for a few months now. I was kind of second guessing myself.

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[BPGator]

I'll try that thanks.
A couple of questions though.
1- Do you have your RHP in the floor or in the wall of the cage.
2- does it increase ambient temperature?

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1- RHPs as far as I know should always be attached to the top of the enclosure and not have any objects within at least 6" from them to prevent overheating. RHP is a radiative heat panel, not a UTH (under tank heat).

2- the RHP indirectly heats the air. It's radiative heat which means objects in the enclosure absorb the heat. So my hides and substrate will heat up and they in turn will heat the air in the enclosure.

If you want to look into RHPs, the two most popular choices are Pro Heat and Reptile Basics. I use pro heat.


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