im getting an ackie next weekend!

[mr~python]

YES!! we went to the serpentarium today and my mom said i can get an ackie next week! i already have everything i need except for the dirt and my dad is bringing a 5 gal bucket of dirt from our property for me so i have that covered. here's a pic of the cage im gonna use:

i only have one question; temps aren't supposed to drop below 80 at night and i know i cant leave the light on and i was wondering if i can use a red infrared heat bulb to keep the temps up at night. i know you're not supposed to do this for a bearded dragon because it bugs them when they are sleeping, but i was wondering if you could do this for an ackie.

P.S. im gonna build some cool retes stacks for it.

[Shelby]

Red bulbs are no problem. I know monitor keepers that use white lights 24/7 with no problems.

Congrats on your Ackie btw!

[mr~python]

really? all day and night?

i know, before i knew i could get one but now i know when! yaay! lol.

[Shelby]

Yes.. I was researching blackthroat monitors some months ago and asked some experienced monitor keepers. They said that as long as they have a dark hide to go into, it makes no difference.

[mr~python]

wow, cool. the dirts gonna be deep enough for them to burrow so it'll be fine. thanks April.

ooh, one more thing. when should the ackie outgrow a 30in x 1ft x 1ft cage? im thinking me and my dad will build it a nice 3ft x 2ft x 2ft cage.

[Shelby]

That may be big enough for it as an adult.. they recommend a 30g long as a minimum.. that is a few inches longer (3') but I'm not sure. You may want a longer and deeper (for burrowing) cage eventually.

[justcage]

I would not use a daylight 24/7.. Monitors will need a proper photoperiod just like a ball will I would take a look at www.proexotics.com

[mr~python]

thanks Matt. ive been using proexotics caresheet and FAQ. so would the red bulb plan work out?

[Shelby]

Matt - the guy who told me that breeds monitors and has a bunch of them so I dunno.

[tigerlily]

I can't imagine any animal doing well with a 24/7 light cycle. That just doesn't sound right to me.