Poor Lucy !

[LucyB]

Newby here on what appears to be the best forum out there. Just got Lucy (after Lucille BALL) who is 4 years old, 4 ft long, and allegedly a female. I doubt that Lucy has ever been warm in her life and seriously want to change that. Her house is wooden, 5' long, 20" high and 20" wide. Plexiglass front hinged at the bottom with a 12" decorative screen. Previous owner had a mini-heating pad in there that was barely warm. There is an 8" hole cut in the top with a reflector lamp and an older style curly cue (sp?) LED bulb that can be touched bare handed. Heat in previous owner's apartment was at 73 or so; mine is less as I heat with firewood. I have an electric heater in front of the cage in desperation, but we know this is not optimal and temporary. I did add a 20"x20" heating pad with a thermostat which she loves.

So, Lucy and I both need help to give her a much better life. Should I leave the solid roof as is or go with glass or screen? Or half and half? Screen will cause humidity and heat loss, but will tolerate reflector-type heating lamps. I guess glass will be heat resistant enough, but the reflectors will slide all over. Note that she has probably never been in the dark as the LED light has always been on 24/7. I have a daylight bulb for a healthy spectrum, but it produces little heat. I have a Zacro infra red heat lamp for night time use that produces heat but no light. I'm thinking to use the Zacro lamp 24/7 for heat day and night and a second lamp for both heat and illumination on a timer.

Any input will be greatly appreciated. I am a very responsible pet owner and want the best for my kids.

[tttaylorrr]

welcome to the forum!!! Lucy sounds lucky to have found you.

have you heard of radiant heat panels (RHP)? since you have a large enclosure this might be your best option for heat. RBI and Pro-Products are the preferred brands here. you can call Bob @ Pro Products, describe your enclosure, and he'll recommend the best RHP for you and get it to you.

also do you plan on using belly heat? it's not exactly necessary but it's the easiest way to give your snake the heat it needs for digestion. most of us use an under tank heater (UTH), but since you use a wooden enclosure this might be difficult as the UTH would have a hard time delivering heat through the wood (a UTH NEVER goes inside the enclosure).

maybe some others who have wooden enclosures can chime in. i hope i was able to help some!

[sparky767]

I think we should change the description of the thread to “Lucky Lucy” since she found you!


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[LucyB]

Thanks for your help! A radiant heat panel is on order, but I still have questions about the front of the cage. Methinks the grill should be filled as it lets in a lot of room air which is typically cold. Will leave the roof solid. Got a 20"x20" pet heating pad with a thermostat that she loves and is almost warm for a change.

[Lirenn]

Hey, we named our snake after Lucille Ball as well! I knew we couldn't be the only ones.

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