Lighting question.

I use an infrared light to heat my snakes cage, it is the only source of heat and i keep it on 24/7.

Is this ok? Do i need to turn it off?

Also, my snake used to come out at night when i used a normal heating bulb, after i turned it off he would come out. Now that i use Infrared i dont see him at night very often, if ever.

What are your temps and your humidity?

you definitely need belly heat from a UTH

You really don't need a lamp. If you do use a lamp, you need an Under Tank Heater with it. Lamps suck the humidity from the cage and snakes are not basking creatures.

What are your other husbandry habits?

I have 11 Balls and not all them have uths. The ones that dont I use ceramic bulbs. I have no problems w/my snakes, they all still come out at night and do there thing.

Temps and humidity are fine.

My snake struck at me (just a tap) for the first time ever after i fed him, Yesterday. I washed my hands every time i handled the rodent or came in contact with anything the rodent had touched, still i just figured it was a feeding error of some sort.

However, this mourning my snake was sticking its little head of its hide as normal (just watching his surrounding) and i put my finger on the glass near his head and HE STRUCK THE GLASS! Ive only had my snake for about 2 months but this is very rare, i handle him everyday and never has he been the slightest bit aggressive. I have no problems holding him near my eyes or face (maybe i do now)

Anyways i haven't held him since he first struck me. The only change in his environment has been a switch to a red spectrum light or w/e its called. It says it does not disturb his sleep patterns or w/e but i have defiantly noticed that i never see my snake out at night anymore. Also, during the day when hes normally trucked away in his hide he now usually sits with his head out of his hide, almost like hes waiting for darkness.

lol when i turn out the lights, he comes out, even in day time... Not really completely out but half his body for sure, this is all very rare to see him out at day i guess.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikels

I have 11 Balls and not all them have uths. The ones that dont I use ceramic bulbs. I have no problems w/my snakes, they all still come out at night and do there thing.

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That is because you live in Florida. Most people will have to battle to keep humidity up when using lamps or CHEs.

You may think your temps and humidity are fine, but they might not be. You need to be specific.

Striking means that he is stressed and/or hungry. If he's not hungry, then he's stressed. Please post pics of your husbandry, many newbies will think that their care is spot-on when it is actually way off.

SWIM lives in florida also, but this time of year the AC is on and windows are closed.

Also, i keep my snake in my room, I am in my room a lot, but i NEVER watch TV and i only use headphones on my computer, I do however use a ceiling fan almost always (Being in hot and humid florida) I wouldn't think the slight hum of the fan would bother him, but what say you? I keep foil over my snakes cage to keep in humidity and heat that would otherwise be dispersed by the fan.