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.

I have a feeling that you don't know your temp and humidity because you are completely avoiding answering us.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thegoalie22

I have a feeling that you don't know your temp and humidity because you are completely avoiding answering us.

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lol ok ok, i Dont know for sure, but my thermostat says 81 degrees, and its at least 10 degrees hotter in my room than anywhere else in the house (i have 2 gaming computers running that seem to heat my room up a little too much for me, (not the snake) My humidity is a guess really, I keep a full water bowl in there always (With the foil). Outside my home the humidity is extreme but i don't think its anywhere near the same inside the house since i run the AC, or is it? I know the heater will suck moisture out of the air but im not sure about just the cooling AC.

anyways

I know he shed in once piece about 13 days ago, I know that sometimes when i pick him up he feels a bit warm to my wrist, and sometimes a bit colder than id expect a snake to feel, but then again this is my first snake. I am not sure what to expect 100%. I know the guy at the pet store claimed you don't REALLY need a thermometer, So my dad and i decided we didn't need one (Right then). Lately ive been asking to get one but i hear they go for about $40, which is a lot since my whole setup only cost $100. I changed my mind about getting one yesterday when i was first bit, questioning if it was the heat or cold. I was suppose to get one today but it didnt happen, tomorrow should be the day if i can get a ride.

So basically i don't know the exact humidity or even the temp. If it was my choice i would of had a accurate thermometer weeks ago but i dont work so its not always up to me.

Well, a thermometer doesn't cost $40. You can get a great thermometer/hygrometer combo for $12 at the home depot. It is called the accurite weather station.

Since you don't know your humidity, then you don't know if you need to ditch the lamp or not. Get a accurite weatherstation. If your humidity with the light on is under 50% than ditch the lamp and get an UTH with a thermoSTAT.

^^^^

yes, i was actually avoiding the question (nice mind reading skills thegoalie) because i intended on getting a good thermostat tomorrow, after which i would post the results.


but hes been fine for about 2 months, but that was before the light switch.

I looked online and i have seen them for around 30-$40, but walmats got so some good prices i guess.

Walmart has a good one: Accurite thermometer and hygrometer
It has a probe and is very accurate for around 15 bucks
The pet store guy is completely wrong.
When you get it, measure you warm side belly temp( temp of substrate) cool side belly temp, and ambient air temp