Do Red Tails really need hides???

My RTB hardly ever goes into its hide. It either hangs out next to it. Or sits on a branch on the opposite side of the tank. Im kinda thinking the undertank heater may be making it too warm, maybe. Anyway, when it does go into it, it comes right back out. I read that they really don't need hides. But, just wanted to know for sure.

How hot is your high end? I've noted that my boas really don't use a hot spot over 90*F, and 88-89*F seems optimal.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

How hot is your high end? I've noted that my boas really don't use a hot spot over 90*F, and 88-89*F seems optimal.

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Its between 85 and 90...

All three of mine use theirs. I have noticed as well that mine prefer it cooler. What are your temps?

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

All three of mine use theirs. I have noticed as well that mine prefer it cooler. What are your temps?

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the high end is 90. the cooler end is around 78-80.

Guess it could be the undertank heater could be keeping it too warm. If I touch the RTB's heater, it feels really warm. If I touch my BP's heater, it feels so cool that I keep thinking its broke. But when I touch the glass in its hide, its warm. So, its working. May just try moving the hide just next to the undertank heater and see if he goes in it then...

Try knocking it back to 88 warm side and 78 cool side. See if that helps.

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

Try knocking it back to 88 warm side and 78 cool side. See if that helps.

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Ok thanks... Will try that...

Mine will use his hides. His favorite is the cool side hide. The warm side is under the RHP so inside the warm hide is cooler than being on top which is where he goes to digest food. He goes inside the warm hide to do his bizz.

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Originally Posted by Gio

Mine will use his hides. His favorite is the cool side hide. The warm side is under the RHP so inside the warm hide is cooler than being on top which is where he goes to digest food. He goes inside the warm hide to do his bizz.

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That's a good thought. I really don't have a hide on the cool side. Just a bunch of leaves and branches for him to hide under. Think I will try to put an actual hide on the cool side.

My male lives in his hide.. or buried in the corner behind the water bowl. My female I have never seen her use the hide and lives in the corner or suspended from one of those suction cup "cradles"...

Is the hide large enough?
Is it positioned where it is moderately warm?
Does it create a secure place, i.e not some wide entrance but close confined but not cramped quarters..

Do you use a thermostat for your UTH? How are you measuring the temps? My younger female in the rack doesn't use her hide, but my big male in his Boaphile lives in his, I never see him, and he actually moves it around his enclosure lol.

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Originally Posted by JohnNGriffin

That's a good thought. I really don't have a hide on the cool side. Just a bunch of leaves and branches for him to hide under. Think I will try to put an actual hide on the cool side.

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There are hides called "Tortoise Shell" hides. They are pretty big. But an adult female Colombian BCI will ultimately end up being too big for most hides like that. You could look into half log style hides, or the huge little box type hides. I am dead set on a naturalist looking cage so I usually spend more $$ to get something that works in that type of environment.

What do you use to control the temperature of the UTH and what type of thermometer do you use to measure the temperature of it?

I don't have anything controlling the temp. I have 4 Fluker thermometer/hygrometer combos in it. I changed hides, and started using an igloo-looking hide, and just put it halfway on the undertank heater. He actually went in it, and stayed in it all night. He came out a little, and went back in it.

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Originally Posted by JohnNGriffin

I don't have anything controlling the temp.

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You need a thermostat, yesterday.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

You need a thermostat, yesterday.

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Exactly. UTHs get too hot, and you need a thermostat before you end up with a burn. Even a cheap hydrofarm will do, anything to control those temps. I bet that's why you never see your boa on the hot spot, because it's smart enough to recognize that it's too hot. A thermometer/hygrometer combo stuck to the wall can't measure surface temps, where the snake actually is.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

You need a thermostat, yesterday.

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And a temp gun. That will give you your surface temps on the basking spot. A hydrofarm thermostat is around $30 on Amazon and a temp gun will run around $15.

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Originally Posted by JohnNGriffin

I don't have anything controlling the temp. I have 4 Fluker thermometer/hygrometer combos in it. I changed hides, and started using an igloo-looking hide, and just put it halfway on the undertank heater. He actually went in it, and stayed in it all night. He came out a little, and went back in it.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

You need a thermostat, yesterday.

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Absolutely. Like, day before yesterday.

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Originally Posted by Skittles1101

Exactly. UTHs get too hot, and you need a thermostat before you end up with a burn. Even a cheap hydrofarm will do, anything to control those temps. I bet that's why you never see your boa on the hot spot, because it's smart enough to recognize that it's too hot. A thermometer/hygrometer combo stuck to the wall can't measure surface temps, where the snake actually is.

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It's not a matter of IF your snake will get burned, but WHEN if you don't have a t-stat. And burns can kill.

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Originally Posted by jackal_727

And a temp gun. That will give you your surface temps on the basking spot. A hydrofarm thermostat is around $30 on Amazon and a temp gun will run around $15.

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Temp gun is a good idea, but if your short on funds, at least get the t-stat. I have 6 or 8 Hydrofarms. They are workhorses. And only $32 off Amazon. There is no excuse not to have one.


Having said that, hides are nice to provide even if your snake doesn't use them. I like to give my boas the option. Of my 30+ snakes, only 4-5 don't use them at all. This is what most of my snakes use their hides for.....
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps05e37e40.jpg