Concerned for safety

[ae88weaver]

I'm keeping my 62 gram baby BP in an 5 gallon plastic tub (kind of small, even for his size but it's the only size that my UTH can even get close to heating to the proper temps) and am having the most difficult time regulating the ambient temperatures and humidity. I'm using a Zoo Med UTH, a ESU thermostat, a digital probe thermometer, a thermometer/hygrometer combo, newspaper substrate, a hide, and a water bowl. The belly heat is on the lower side for both the hot and cold sides (87/86 and 82/81). I keep my house at 70 degrees all day and all night and since getting him, I've increased the temp to 77. I've moved the water bowl so that it's not over the UTH but still the humidity is in the 70s-80s and he is not in shed. I'm not misting at all. The ambient temps are around 75-80. Should I add a lamp? If I need to add a lamp, how do I set it up since I'm using a plastic tub? Get a clamp? And what wattage/type do you recommend? Should a snake feel cold when you pick it up or warm? Sometimes he's warm other times cold... He seems comfortable though. He's active, not frightened, and not shy. I haven't tried feeding him yet, that'll be today or tomorrow and will be the real test. I'm a first time BP owner... HELP

PS: I've ordered a larger UTH and a new thermostat bc this one is a little off so I'm waiting on those to come in, should be in btw Dec 2-7. When they come in, I'm gonna move him to a longer plastic tub that is 8 gallons but is longer, so I can add more hides.

I know these questions mirror other posts and I've tried to apply those responses to my case but I feel like this situation warants a new post and new suggestions. I'm so grateful for any of your advice! Thank you!

[MitsuMike]

62 gram bp can be in as small as a 6 qt, WAY smaller than your 5 gallon.
Set up is simple........hide over the UTH and a water bowl on the cool side, with paper towels as a substrate and your golden.
With the thermostat, it can't go any higher than 87*?
To raise ambient temps a simple incandescent desk lamp should work fine (40 plus watts) positioned over the cool side to middle of the tub. Raise and lower as needed to keep temps up. Try and make the lid a solid, non see through lid, because bright lights may stress out your snake.
The snake will feel warm or cool depending on what side of the cage he/she is on when thermoregulating. Seeing our body temps (surface temps) range around 80-85 (using my temp gun to measure hands and limbs) the snake will feel warm or cool to you.
Example:
Snake is on the cool side (77 degrees) and you pick it up. It will feel cool because your hand temp is warmer than the snake, being in that cool environment.

[spitzu]

You could try putting him in a smaller tub so it'd heat easier while you wait for your new equipment to get in. I know you think that 5 gallons is too small, but a lot of people put hatchlings that small in 6 quart tubs (me included), and they're fine. Some actually say that they're more comfortable in a smaller container. You've got him in a tub that's larger than some juvenile tubs (200g-400g I think?), and are about to move him to an adult-sized 32 qt tub.

[ae88weaver]

62 gram bp can be in as small as a 6 qt, WAY smaller than your 5 gallon.
With the thermostat, it can't go any higher than 87*?.

I'm guessing on the size, it might actually be smaller, it is smaller than his length... and the thermostat is old and no it can't go higher, could it be that the mat is defective? Although if it was defective would it even heat up? And the mat is the perfect size for the tub he is in, it's just a few inches shorter in length so I move the tub so there can be a cool side (should I just let the whole tub cover the whole mat?).

[MitsuMike]

I'm guessing on the size, it might actually be smaller, it is smaller than his length... and the thermostat is old and no it can't go higher, could it be that the mat is defective? Although if it was defective would it even heat up? And the mat is the perfect size for the tub he is in, it's just a few inches shorter in length so I move the tub so there can be a cool side (should I just let the whole tub cover the whole mat?).

The heat mat should only be on the cool side. Cool side should have nothing. I can snap a few pics tonight of my little bee in her 6 qt.
And the mat or the thermostat might be messed up, because these mats can get around 140 degrees.

[ae88weaver]

You could try putting him in a smaller tub so it'd heat easier while you wait for your new equipment to get in. I know you think that 5 gallons is too small, but a lot of people put hatchlings that small in 6 quart tubs (me included), and they're fine. Some actually say that they're more comfortable in a smaller container. You've got him in a tub that's larger than some juvenile tubs (200g-400g I think?), and are about to move him to an adult-sized 32 qt tub.

Honestly, it's probably about the size of a shoe box.. It's made of hard plastic, maybe even acrylic, I'm sorry I don't know much about tubs or anything... I've only used glass before

[angllady2]

I think most likely rather than 5 gallon, it's about 5 quarts. Easy enough mistake to make. A true 5 gallon tub would be pretty large.

Now, it is possible your mat and thermostat are just older and need to be replaced. Your temps aren't ideal, but are better than some. Since you already have new stuff on the way, don't stress too much over it.

Now, you say your getting an 8 gallon tub, because it's longer to give you room for more hides. You say your 5 gallon is about the size of a shoebox, so this supposed 8 gallon probably isn't much bigger, just longer correct ? One thing I am curious about, are these tubs very tall?
If the floor space is fairly small, but the tubs are tall, that might be part of the problem.

As to the high humidity, tubs are great for keeping your humidity up, sometimes too much. The simplest solution I know of is to use a hot nail or cheap soldering iron to melt a few holes in the sides of the tub, that will help the humidity come down.

Gale

[ae88weaver]

I think most likely rather than 5 gallon, it's about 5 quarts. Easy enough mistake to make. A true 5 gallon tub would be pretty large.

Now, it is possible your mat and thermostat are just older and need to be replaced. Your temps aren't ideal, but are better than some. Since you already have new stuff on the way, don't stress too much over it.

Now, you say your getting an 8 gallon tub, because it's longer to give you room for more hides. You say your 5 gallon is about the size of a shoebox, so this supposed 8 gallon probably isn't much bigger, just longer correct ? One thing I am curious about, are these tubs very tall?
If the floor space is fairly small, but the tubs are tall, that might be part of the problem.

As to the high humidity, tubs are great for keeping your humidity up, sometimes too much. The simplest solution I know of is to use a hot nail or cheap soldering iron to melt a few holes in the sides of the tub, that will help the humidity come down.

Gale

The UTH I'm using now is brand new so I don't know what the issue is..
Neither tubs are tall, no more than 10 inches tall...
I've poked holes in the sides of both tubs already, the 8 gallon is a for sure measurement bc I just purchased it-- It is wider and longer but not any taller, it has a lot of floor space but I'm planning on filling that space up with hides and branches
^^The shoe box size (approx 5 quarts) does not have much floor space at all, enough for a hide and a water bowl and some room for him to slither around but that's it (He's around 14 inches)