Day/Night Cycle

[lightningmiked]

I suppose I have a question about the day/night cycle. They are more nocturnal so they want it to be dark during the day. Or do I leave a light on while I'm at work so they know its day time? Does that include the overhead heat lamp too? My current set up with a glass tank relies on the lamp for some heat. the UTH is weak, so it keeps the bottom warm but not quite hot enough by itself. I am working on getting a better one. But yeah, how does that night/day cycle work?


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[Inarikins]

Is your heat lamp a light-emitting bulb, or just a ceramic bulb? One of the members of the forum on here has been doing some experimenting with his snakes and I believe has found out that they don't need light at all (paging Aaron) and in fact seem to do better in complete darkness, as far as feeding goes. But you don't have to leave a light on for them during the day. The light coming in through the windows is fine, but if the heat bulb emits white light, I would switch to a ceramic or red bulb.

[lightningmiked]

It is a red light-emitting bulb. Thanks for the info. So theoretically if I get a good enough UTH that I can get rid of the over head light completely? The other issue is that I live in a basement apartment, so the ambient is light from windows is pretty much non existent. If I don't leave a light on it gets pretty dark.

[Crazymonkee]

The uth will not raise the overall ambient temp of the enclosure. How are you temping your current uth?
Is your uth on a thermostat?
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[lightningmiked]

So, I should keep an overhead head. Does that mean I should get a ceramic one that doesn't give off light? I'm still confused on the day/night cycle. As for the UTH it is not on a thermostat, but I have a thermometer keeping a watch on it, and it according to the thermometer the UTH has not reached anything dangerous. It usually stays around mid 80s. I am working on getting a thermostat though.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

They don't need a lot of light. As long as there is some light during the day that's fine. If there isn't, put a lamp on a timer.

[lightningmiked]

Alright, It just seems like my night and day are very similar. He has his heat lamp on both day and night, the rest of the lights are off when I go to work or am asleep, and there isn't any light from windows. I'm just trying to make his day different from the night.

[200xth]

He can tell the difference with just the ambient light.

However, if you want, you can leave the light on during the day...it's not going to hurt him and if it makes you feel better go for it.

[lightningmiked]

Cool, Thanks. I think the is the answer I needed to hear. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[200xth]

Just to be clear, though, you do have a hide for him, correct? BP's are nocturnal and generally spend their days curled up somewhere dark and hidden away (in termite mounds, underground holes, and underneath logs for example). You can leave the light on if you want, but make sure he's got something he can climb into and hide from the world if he feels like it (he probably will).