12 hours light and dark?

Does this rule apply to MBK's? I thought I had read somewhere to shine a light into the tank for 12 hours then turn it off for 12 more. Not sure if this is correct can someone verify O_O

I really know nothing about king snakes so I don't know. Sorry I couldn't help.

id say yes

what i do is, have a black light, and leave it on at all times, and just have the day time cycle from the window, then when the sun goes down, it goes to the dark cycle

What do you mean by a daytime cycle and dark cycle? I could get a black light for my lamp, they are cheap at the local store

If your room gets outside light then that's fine. Your snake will get a sense of the day/night change. Any lighting you add is more for you than the snake. My Kings are in a rack with no additional lighting other than what comes from outside (and it's not directed into the rack) and any light from my Kenyan Sand Boa and Ball Python's tank. Now for my BP and Kenyan I do have a light come on for them (well it's for me to see them) and they each have a light that stays on 24/7 to provide a bit of additional heat but mostly nighttime viewing for me. My BP has an infrared light (both heat and nightlight) and my Kenyan has one of those 'moonlights' (for nighttime viewing-kind of like a bluelight/blacklight).

Well, unless you keep your snake in a room that completely blocks out sunlight, daylight should provide all the "day" period you need. The important part is not to keep your snake where it is lit for a significant portion of the night, or where the light goes on or off often. This will throw them off their circadian rhythm or whatever causing stress. Just use a blacklight to be able to observe your snake at night.

Well the way my room is positioned I only get a few hours of sunlight in there and its not much cause I have to keep the blinds closed or the sunlight will shine in the tank. So I was keeping a light on directed towards the tank from 9am-9pm then off during 9pm-9am and then back again. I'll grab a nightlight from the store so I can check on her at night without the stress of turning the light on and off.

Here is a pic of how I have my Light set up now. Is this ok?



http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSCF0073.jpg


This is an informative pic ^_^ You can see the top of the tub which I drilled the holes in to release humidity to the right of the tub. You can also see the small container I use to put Elysia in when I need to do quick spot checks ^_^ You can also see how her "Tank Area" is like a small set in closet. The opening starts about 2 feet off the ground, so its pretty private. I'm thinking about replacing the door that used to be on there, I dunno yet.

If you're unsure about how much artificial light to give her, then just guide it by the current season. Meaning...when the sun comes up, turn the light on. When the sun goes down, turn the light off. You can't beat nature's clock. :wink:

Yeah that is pretty much what I have been doing. I turn the light on when I get up, around 8am to 9am

And turn it off around 7-9pm.

My main concern is the position, do you think its ok on that one side like that? Its the only place I could mount it.

All sounds good to me. That's cool that you have a recessed closet area like that.

So long as it's not supposed to be a heat source, then I can't imagine that the position would make much difference at all. Seems fine to me.