Rembrandt - Nicaraguan Boa (first snake!)

[dakski]

Thank you!!

Temps are a bit lower than I'd like, but hopefully nothing dangerous - it's a gradient of 76 - 83 (2 f or so higher on sunny afternoons), with an 88 hot spot. I see him in both the warm and cool hides so I've tentatively assumed he's not uncomfortable.

As for humidity, I've been trying to manage it (baked substrate, additional air holes, water on cool side), but it's still high - usually in the 70s, so I air out the tub at least once a day. I've held off on a humidity bump for the shed since it's high already, I hope all goes okay.

I'm really eager to get a PVC cage where I can dial everything in more perfectly. I'm waiting to see how the heating in my home is in the fall and winter, and if there's any issues I'll spring for the PVC. (still trying to decide on heat tape or RHP....)

Also, I just peeked in his hide and his eyes have cleared up! I'm glad I snapped a pic last night or I might've thought I imagined it haha.

Low 70's humidity is fine for a Boa normally. They don't get RI's or stressed, etc. like BP's when humidity gets in even the upper 70's. I would keep it under 80% normally, with bumps as high as 80-85% in shed okay.

Don't stress of low 70% range humidity.

Temps are fine. 88F hot spot is good. 76-83 gradient is fine. I recommend a 78F cool spot because that give you little margin of error. I don't like my BCI below 76F. However, if it's not dropping below 76F, you are okay. You also gave gradient and a hot spot, so there are plenty of choices.

PVC enclosures rock.

Depending on size, etc. I recommend an RHP, or preferably an RHP and heat tape. The heat tape is a very inexpensive addition. They can work in conjunction off the same thermostat, or two thermostats if you want. I run an RHP and heat tape off the hot side of my 6X2' Boaphiles. They run off the same thermostat and the heat tape gives belly heat while the RHP contributes to the hot spot, but also warms the air, and creates a gradient in the tank.

Remember, RHP do both hot spot and warm air.

Heat tape only warms the spot they are under.

I also like redundancy and worst case, you can always unplug one if it gets really hot (although the thermostat will control that).