Best heating option/picture update trans pecos

[HouseofBoop]

Hi again all!

I'm still waiting for my new blonde snow TPRS to get shipped, probably won't be safe until March.
I did get a picture update from the breeder I wanted to share , and also was curious about some housing options.

I have a tank I will be using while he is in quarantine, but am going to be building a couple custom melamine enclosures for him and my current snake.

I know I want to either use a radiant heat panel, or deep heat projector. Does anyone have experience with either? Reasons why one may be better than the other? I know they both have IR waves that mimic the sun, the heat projector supposedly does so better.
Any input/pros and cons etc would be appreciated.

Also any name suggestions for this sweet baby welcome ^-^
I'm thinking Kylo right now.

[HouseofBoop]

[IMG]https://www.linkpicture.com/q/IMG_20210206_15
5519-3.jpg[/IMG]

Can't seem to get the picture shared properly

[HouseofBoop]

<a href="https://www.linkpicture.com/view.php?img=LPic60244705b44511431975556"><img src="https://www.linkpicture.com/q/IMG_20210206_155519-3.jpg" type="image"></a>

[HouseofBoop]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Bogertophis]

Adorable, as all TPs are IMO. No rush to name...they never come when you call 'em. I usually name my snakes after I know them better.

I can't advise you about your heating options, unfortunately, as I don't use those- I can only tell you what works for me & mine. Be careful NOT to heat the whole enclosure.

I use only old-fashioned UTH (Flexwatt) under a part (roughly one-sixth) of the floor space (40 gal breeder). In winter (when my home thermostat keeps it @ 70*), I also use overhead incandescent black bulbs in a metal dome for added heat (one per tank) since they* often like to sleep in their branches/basket instead of their 2 hides (cool or warm) on the "floor". *I said "they" because I offer the same things to each of them, but they have individual opinions & preferences, so they don't make equal use of them. One male prefers to sleep on his branches most of the time, while the other male always sleeps in a hide, & the female sometimes sleeps curled up in a basket (attached to the branches) but at other times uses her hides. During the day, they all mostly use their hides...remember they're nocturnal, but flexible, in my experience with them. When I observe them at night, sometimes they're active, other times they're sleeping. Your hatchling will only use hides for a while.

By the way, in the book by Dusty Rhoads ("The Complete Suboc") he also uses UTH for his subocs. It's essential for their home to be dry, & I'll quote his equation from page 121 here:

"Warmth + Humidity + Stagnant Air = a perfect dream haven for pathogenic (harmful) bacteria" (Thus, I'd still recommend a full screen top or equivalent venting for air flow- I do believe this is why mine stay healthy & always have. For this reason, I'd NEVER keep one in a "tub".)

So there's nothing wrong IMO with making a custom enclosure, BUT...make sure it has lots of airflow. Even if you live in a naturally humid area (as I do now), your home heat & A/C will suck the moisture out of the air anyway. These are desert snakes & as you know, deserts get cold at night & much warmer by day- that means these snakes are more adaptable to temperature fluctuations than many other kinds (like BPs) & they eat just fine all winter. In the summer, my A/C is set to kick on when my house is 80*, & all UTH is adjusted downward accordingly (depending on which snakes they are- I have 19 snakes total, not just TPs). My current 3 TPs are now going on 12 years old...they are not prone to RI or any health issues, in my experience with them (now & in the past, when I kept & bred a different group of them years before) and kept as I've described. BTW, "the book" says they live to about 15 years in captivity- in the past, that's been my experience as well. Remember...air flow!!! I've used & even built some "enclosures" in the past for other snakes, but I still prefer glass tanks with air flow for all that I keep now.

[WrongPython]

That's a beautiful little snake, OP! You're in luck, because I'm actually using both and RHP (radiant heat panel) and Arcadia DHP (deep heat projector) right now.

RHPs give off mostly IR-C (AKA far infrared). They're great for raising ambients in larger enclosures, and if you place the appropriate surface underneath one (ie. a piece of slate, a shelf, etc.), said surface will absorb and reflect some heat back to create a belly-heat basking spot. IR-C only produces superficial and ambient heat, though, so RHPs should not be used as the sole heat source for species that need an intense basking spot (think lizards).

DHPs give off a mix of IR-B (AKA mid infrared) and IR-A (AKA near infrared), mostly IR-B. They're good for creating a focused, lightless basking spot that's more intense than those created by IR-C heat sources (ie. RHPs, heat mats, and the like). In a small, insulated enclosures, heat reflected by surfaces underneath them may be able to raise ambients by a few degrees (think 1-2 F above room temp). If you need a heat source to really raise ambients, though, you'll need to look elsewhere. Needless to say, this is a great choice for species/individuals that like more intense basking spots, particularly when paired with a UV-B light.

How big is the tank you plan on using? If your snake is a baby, anything but the smallest tank may be too big. In general, when receiving a new snake, it's best to emulate the housing conditions they had at their breeder's. That typically means a shoebox-sized (6 qt) tub with a heat mat.

[HouseofBoop]

Bogertophis,

Thanks for all the advice! I plan on having a lot of ventilation on both sides of the custom enclosure, and will probably drill some small holes in the back as well for good measure. Unfortunately due to my living situation, I don't really have the option to keep both snakes in glass tanks, as I have to keep them both in my bedroom and space is limited. So stacking is my only option. Dry will most definitely not be an issue! I live in AZ
Can I ask how you make the baskets you mention your TP's using? I would love to make some for my guy to use if he wants to.

[HouseofBoop]

That's a beautiful little snake, OP! You're in luck, because I'm actually using both and RHP (radiant heat panel) and Arcadia DHP (deep heat projector) right now.

RHPs give off mostly IR-C (AKA far infrared). They're great for raising ambients in larger enclosures, and if you place the appropriate surface underneath one (ie. a piece of slate, a shelf, etc.), said surface will absorb and reflect some heat back to create a belly-heat basking spot.


How big is the tank you plan on using? If your snake is a baby, anything but the smallest tank may be too big. In general, when receiving a new snake, it's best to emulate the housing conditions they had at their breeder's. That typically means a shoebox-sized (6 qt) tub with a heat mat.

Thank you! I think he is beautiful too! The enclosure will be about 48x24, which makes me think an RHP would be a better option for the size. I planned on having some slate underneath the RHP or DHP to produce belly heat.

He will not be in the larger enclosure right away though, I have a 10g glass tank that I will be using for his quarantine and while he adjusts, then I'll move him into the larger one at a later date. My current snake can make use of one of the custom ones right away though.

[Bogertophis]

Bogertophis,

Thanks for all the advice! I plan on having a lot of ventilation on both sides of the custom enclosure, and will probably drill some small holes in the back as well for good measure. Unfortunately due to my living situation, I don't really have the option to keep both snakes in glass tanks, as I have to keep them both in my bedroom and space is limited. So stacking is my only option. Dry will most definitely not be an issue! I live in AZ
Can I ask how you make the baskets you mention your TP's using? I would love to make some for my guy to use if he wants to.

Drill lots of holes then...LOTS! You could instead put in a good sized "screen"/welded wire/or perforated metal panel on either side. Years ago, I converted a large vertical wood cabinet to house a large arboreal rat snake (not TP) & on each side, I used perforated metal panels* for ventilation (with "screen molding" installed over the edges so it was smooth). Perf. metal is sold for & near screen doors & such in home improvement stores- one side is smooth, & the other is slightly abrasive (because the tiny holes are machine-punched), so make sure if you use it that the abrasive side is "outside".

Substrate- I use Carefresh Natural (it's hygroscopic- you want that for TPs) mixed with clean paper shreds (from my shredder).

Baskets: EASY- very cheap in thrift stores- make sure that there are no holes that a snake of any size might get stuck in (so you want a bowl-shape or shallow platform, with close weave), & I just use a couple wire pieces to attach the basket to the diagonally-criss-crossing branches. These snakes practically "tip-toe" on branches- they're graceful- & enjoy some vertical exploration. He won't be brave enough to use (or climb much) until he gets bigger & relaxes, but once he does, it's really cute. These snakes are as "nosy" as they appear to be.

[Bogertophis]

You can research this for yourself, but here's a few snippets I just pulled off the web:

Melamine is particleboard laminated with a thermally fused paper/resin coating to provide a durable hard surface

Pressed Wood Paneling & Particleboard Furniture

That formaldehyde then leaches into the air, leading to watery eyes, burning throat, and breathing difficulties. Worse, scientists warn that this dangerous chemical may be a carcinogen for humans, meaning it could cause certain types of cancer.


So a big afterthought: using melamine to build an enclosure is NOT a good idea, IMO. Melamine is laminated onto particle-board, and particle board off-gasses formaldehyde "forever", which is not going to be healthy for your little snake to breathe. When you drill all those holes in the melamine, that will enable the formaldehyde to off-gas out of each & every hole, so you'll be breathing it too, btw, but you're bigger & not confined in it like your little snakes will be. Hope you re-think this plan- use solid wood...convert an existing solid wood cabinet or something. What you don't see or smell CAN still harm, esp. a snake.

(That's another reason I favor glass, it's inert.)