Help? Conflicting info regarding heating..

Well as you know I just bought a corn snake. I'm still curious as to heating though. I've had a few people tell me I need both the UTH and the lamp. On the corn snake site they said just the UTH. What's the deal there? What do I need to ensure my snake is going to stay healthy? The light or UTH?

I will need to go out and get a thermometer for the bottom of the enclosure. I have a hide, a water bowl, aspen substrate, and the 10 gal tank. Is there anything I'm missing that I really need ASAP?Also lid has the clips on both sides but there are still gaps..Can I place something heavy on it for the time being until I get a better secured lid? I know I've read a ton of information but I guess I'm still just a little confused.

She's in her hide box now.

She's really a sweetheart. I need a better digital cam. My phone doesn't do her justice.

Thanks everyone!
Thea

Hi,

What are the ambient temps where she will be housed? I would have thought a UTH would be enough as well.

Did they perhaps think you were talking about a ball python?

On the lid situation you really want to try and get it escape proof before putting the snake in - a new tank means they will explore thoroughly and houdini has nothing on small snakes.


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

What are the ambient temps where she will be housed? I would have thought a UTH would be enough as well.

Did they perhaps think you were talking about a ball python?

On the lid situation you really want to try and get it escape proof before putting the snake in - a new tank means they will explore thoroughly and houdini has nothing on small snakes.


dr del

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The tank was given to me by the breeder. When I saw it looked okay but now that I have it in my room it doesn't look escape proof at all. I guess I will have to get a completely different one. We have nice 10 gallons at work where you tape the sides and it has a pin you put in. Those seem to work really well with the snakes at work. I tried to jimmy rig it with a shoe lace tied between the sides. What else should I do for tonight? There is nowhere for me to go right now and I have no other housing for her.

Kind of frustrated that I didn't realize this sooner so I could go and immediately get something else.

Having an UTH is fine just make sure there is something on it. I normally tape a layer or 2 of papertowel down on top of the glass and under the substrate. This will help reduce chances of thermal burns if you do not have a thermostat for the UTH.

The "terrariums" made for reptiles have a sliding top that you put a peg/plastic pin in to prevent from sliding open. These are the best to use for snakes if you are using a tank.

The most you can do for now that I could think of is to put something heavy enough(like a book or brick) on top of the screen. Heavy enough where the snake will not be able to budge it at all. Check for gaps. If there still are gaps I would put him/her in a different container until you get an escape proof cage.

For temporary storage I suggest a paper bag with a few pin holes for breathing. Put the snake in the paper bag. Staple or tape shut. Put the bag in the tank. Do not put it on the hot side. She/he may over heat and won't be able to get away from it. Unless you use a really big paper bag.

How big is your snake anyways?

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Originally Posted by Hyper Joe

I normally tape a layer or 2 of papertowel down on top of the glass and under the substrate. This will help reduce chances of thermal burns if you do not have a thermostat for the UTH.

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Please, please please don't use tape in your snakes enclosure.

If you are worried about burns you need a thermostat or rheostat. There isn't another way around it. Glass can seriously get hot and small snakes can get under, even trapped down under paper towels and then they could possibly get stuck there! That dosen't sound like a safe or plausible solution at all.

To answer your original question, your corn does not "need" a light, nor does it "need" a UTH. What is needs is a proper thermal gradient. The exact details of how you reach those temperatures are less important, however usually a t-stat or at least a rheostat (dimmer) are required to properly regulate the heat source.

The person who told you you need a light may have believed that corn snakes need UV light. Corns do not, although some reptiles do, mostly lizards I believe, so that is why some people get confused.

I would be more concerned about making sure your tank is absolutely escape proof, and doing it ASAP.

I also agree with the person who said not to use tape in the enclosure.

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

Please, please please don't use tape in your snakes enclosure.

If you are worried about burns you need a thermostat or rheostat. There isn't another way around it. Glass can seriously get hot and small snakes can get under, even trapped down under paper towels and then they could possibly get stuck there! That dosen't sound like a safe or plausible solution at all.

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The snake will not get under the paper towel if you tape it right. Which is all edges of the towel.
And yes a thermostat is best but this was just a temp solution until you get one.

I have used this method for years before thermostats were popular and it works to help minimize or prevent the chance of burns. If I had pictures to show you, you would see how it works.

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Originally Posted by kc261

To answer your original question, your corn does not "need" a light, nor does it "need" a UTH. What is needs is a proper thermal gradient. The exact details of how you reach those temperatures are less important.....
......I also agree with the person who said not to use tape in the enclosure.

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As far as not needing a UTH well then what do you expect him to use? A bulb? Or a more expensive radiant heat panel? He has a tank. That is the best method for a snake for a tank. Preferably with a thermostat.

And the exact details of how he reaches those temps are less important???
Really, you really think this???!! WOW.. but of course he needs a thermal gradient. but its not important but he needs a thermal gradient but its not important..
That is really interesting...


Thea - I don't know how big your budget is but if you can afford it get a thermostat. If you can't then try putting something that will disipate the heat some from the UTH to minimize the chances of burns. My proven method of papertowels taped down works good or even a thin pice of cardboard like a notebook cover. Tape it down with some type of duct tape and make sure all the edges are taped down so the snake has no way of crawling under or in it. Then make sure there is enough bedding on top of it. The snake should be laying on the bedding but if it happens to move some aside it will not be in direct contact with the hot glass.

Hi,

I really advise thinking carefully about the tape and in no circumstances use duct tape.

Here's a copy of a post I made a little while ago now;

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Originally Posted by dr del

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Originally Posted by mcavana

A little duct tape never hurt anyone!!!! :gj: Never had any issues using duct tape.

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I beg to differ;

Example 1

Example 2

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dr del

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I would use a $10 rheostat to control the UTH rather than just cover the pad with something - then you could adjust it relatively easily without having to strip the tank down.


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

I really advise thinking carefully about the tape and in no circumstances use duct tape.

Here's a copy of a post I made a little while ago now;



I would use a $10 rheostat to control the UTH rather than just cover the pad with something - then you could adjust it relatively easily without having to strip the tank down.


dr del

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Good examples Dr.
It is true. Snakes get caught on duct tape easily.

I am pretty meticulous and pay alot of attention to details so that is why my method worked great for me. If you miss a detail like the tape peeling off or a weakness in its adhesive somewhere then it can go wrong. And again this is only if you can't get a thermostat/rheostat right away.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hyper Joe

As far as not needing a UTH well then what do you expect him to use? A bulb? Or a more expensive radiant heat panel? He has a tank. That is the best method for a snake for a tank. Preferably with a thermostat.

And the exact details of how he reaches those temps are less important???
Really, you really think this???!! WOW.. but of course he needs a thermal gradient. but its not important but he needs a thermal gradient but its not important..
That is really interesting...

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I'm sorry you misunderstood my post. It probably would have helped if you read the whole thing. I like how when you quoted me you left out where I said a t-stat or theostat are usually required to regulate it properly, and then go on to say that as if it was your own idea.

I said that the snake does not "need" a light. It doesn't. I said that the snake does not "need" a UTH. It doesn't. I said it does need a proper thermal gradient. I probably would have been more clear if I'd mentioned that some heat source would be needed to reach it, but it doesn't matter so much what kind of heat source you use. Instead I said the details as to how you reach those temperatures are not important. I did not say that the temperatures aren't important, just that how you get there (such as light, UTH, flexxwatt, RHP, etc) doesn't matter that much. In the next sentence, I said a t-stat or rheostat are usually required to regulate the heat source, so I certainly implied that a heat source is necessary, even if I didn't say it in quite so many words.

I'm really not sure why you had so much trouble understanding my first post, but hopefully it is clearer now.

Thanks everyone. I am moving the snake into a new, more escape proof tank. The other one will be used for rats after being cleaned and disinfected. I think the one that I have right now is currently a 10 gallon and I don't think that is big enough for her. I haven't gotten her weights and inches complete yet but I will let you know. I picked up a book on corns as well.

As for escaping- That isn't going to happen. I'm moving her to prevent that. I used the shoelaces tied on each end and it seemed to work. Seeing as though she ate two days ago though I wouldn't think she'd want to escape. I'm not really about to risk anything though. I do have two cats loose in the room. The new tank should work a lot better. It has the pin you put in and easily slides out.I picked it up from work.

I'm definitely trying to do everything right. Just have a ton to learn. I thank everyone for your kind responses and helpful information. I want to be the best corn snake owner I can be for her sake. :)

She's a wonderful snake and deserves to be happy and healthy. :)