Basking Shelf

[ckuhn003]

I’m curious if a basking shelf will be used in my enclosure by my BCI. I’ve struggled so much trying to get consistent temps with my RHP that I’m about to just take the shelf out and be done with it. Is it worth trying to make it work?

[richardhind1972]

I’m curious if a basking shelf will be used in my enclosure by my BCI. I’ve struggled so much trying to get consistent temps with my RHP that I’m about to just take the shelf out and be done with it. Is it worth trying to make it work?

Most of my boas always used there shelves, especially when they was younger, my Guyana is on his 90%of the time, but all are different

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[bcr229]

I don't have shelves but I do have hides large enough to act as shelves in my boa enclosures, and the boas do perch on them occasionally.

[dakski]

I think the shelf is a cool idea, and I know many snakes, especially semi arboreal snakes, such as boas, like them.

Having said that, temps are much more important than a shelf.

If you take the shelf out he's not going to be wondering where it went. .

I have no shelves in my boa cages, but I do let them climb on scaffolding (folding) that I keep in the reptile area. This gives them some exercise and enrichment.

I mentioned semi arboreal, which boas are, but not to the extreme that most carpet pythons are. Yafe, my CP, spends 50-90% of the time during the days in his hides, but is on his perches all night "hunting" or thermoregulating. I don't think a boa needs a shelf, or a perch, etc.

I talk to Jeff Ronne regularly, and will probably be getting another boa from him soon, and he built my tanks (Boaphile tanks). He offers perches on his taller tanks, but both my boa tanks are 1FT tall since my tanks are stacked and they don't need one (my 3 tall tanks are Yafe's - Carpet Python - with perches, Frank's - BTS and needs proper UVB and a basking spot, and the spare tank I have now that had Toref, my dwarf monitor). Jeff keeps some of his larger snakes in custom 4'X2.5'1.5' enclosures he makes, but are too big to ship. He puts a shelf in those to give the boas more floor space.

If your tank is large enough, floor space wise, for him, then a shelf is optional.

My last thought is to call the tank manufacturer and/or the thermostat manufacturer, to see what their solution is.

Good luck, keep us posted, and do not sweat it if you decide to take the shelf out as long as the floor space is adequate.

[ckuhn003]

I think the shelf is a cool idea, and I know many snakes, especially semi arboreal snakes, such as boas, like them.

Having said that, temps are much more important than a shelf.

If you take the shelf out he's not going to be wondering where it went. .

I have no shelves in my boa cages, but I do let them climb on scaffolding (folding) that I keep in the reptile area. This gives them some exercise and enrichment.

I mentioned semi arboreal, which boas are, but not to the extreme that most carpet pythons are. Yafe, my CP, spends 50-90% of the time during the days in his hides, but is on his perches all night "hunting" or thermoregulating. I don't think a boa needs a shelf, or a perch, etc.

I talk to Jeff Ronne regularly, and will probably be getting another boa from him soon, and he built my tanks (Boaphile tanks). He offers perches on his taller tanks, but both my boa tanks are 1FT tall since my tanks are stacked and they don't need one (my 3 tall tanks are Yafe's - Carpet Python - with perches, Frank's - BTS and needs proper UVB and a basking spot, and the spare tank I have now that had Toref, my dwarf monitor). Jeff keeps some of his larger snakes in custom 4'X2.5'1.5' enclosures he makes, but are too big to ship. He puts a shelf in those to give the boas more floor space.

If your tank is large enough, floor space wise, for him, then a shelf is optional.

My last thought is to call the tank manufacturer and/or the thermostat manufacturer, to see what their solution is.

Good luck, keep us posted, and do not sweat it if you decide to take the shelf out as long as the floor space is adequate.

Thanks Daski...the enclosure is 48 x 24 x 15 so I'm assuming that's enough floor space for a male BCI. I wasn't even considering a shelf until a couple members on here suggested it before ordering. I agree that dialing in temps is more important then a shelf so here's where I stand currently.

Probe is dangling in the corner of the enclosure at the edge of the RHP. Herpstat is set to 81.5

Hot Bottom: most readings are 86 -88 but I have seen a low of 84 and a high of 91 *** is this a big enough range to scrap the shelf and dial in the temps more? ***

Cool Bottom: (78-80)

Ambient Middle (83-84)

Any cause for concern or am I way over complicating this?

[dakski]

Thanks Daski...the enclosure is 48 x 24 x 15 so I'm assuming that's enough floor space for a male BCI. I wasn't even considering a shelf until a couple members on here suggested it before ordering. I agree that dialing in temps is more important then a shelf so here's where I stand currently.

Probe is dangling in the corner of the enclosure at the edge of the RHP. Herpstat is set to 81.5

Hot Bottom: most readings are 86 -88 but I have seen a low of 84 and a high of 91 *** is this a big enough range to scrap the shelf and dial in the temps more? ***

Cool Bottom: (78-80)

Ambient Middle (83-84)

Any cause for concern or am I way over complicating this?

How often are you checking temps? Have there been any changes in room temp or humidity?

[ckuhn003]

How often are you checking temps? Have there been any changes in room temp or humidity?

At this tstat setting, I've checked about 4 times over the course of the weekend. The room temp should be consistent since I have a heater set to 70. It's a finished basement so I wouldn't expect too much of influence; plus my other enclosure w/o the shelf never seemed to be influenced by the basement temps.

[dakski]

At this tstat setting, I've checked about 4 times over the course of the weekend. The room temp should be consistent since I have a heater set to 70. It's a finished basement so I wouldn't expect too much of influence; plus my other enclosure w/o the shelf never seemed to be influenced by the basement temps.

That’s reasonable. I would scrap the shelf for now as your footprint should be perfect for a male BI.

In the meantime, when you have time, reach out to manufacturers as mentioned above and see if we are missing something.

[jmcrook]

Is your temp gun calibrated? Honestly I think it sounds like you’re making it over complicated. Either way, mix up a glass of ice water for half a minute or so and check it with your temp gun. Should read 32°. If it doesn’t then it’s not accurate.
Also some fluctuation is natural. As the probe reads the set temp or reaches it, it reduces or stops supplying power to the rhp. Unless you have something like a piece of slate under the panel that will retain heat for an extended period you will necessarily see a fluctuation in temps

[ckuhn003]

Is your temp gun calibrated? Honestly I think it sounds like you’re making it over complicated. Either way, mix up a glass of ice water for half a minute or so and check it with your temp gun. Should read 32°. If it doesn’t then it’s not accurate.
Also some fluctuation is natural. As the probe reads the set temp or reaches it, it reduces or stops supplying power to the rhp. Unless you have something like a piece of slate under the panel that will retain heat for an extended period you will necessarily see a fluctuation in temps

I checked the temp gun and it gave me readings anywhere from 31.3 - 32 so it's pretty close. I totally understand the reasoning behind fluctuations, I'm just trying to understand if the 84-91 outliers are natural and not a cause for worry. And like I said previously, my readings in my other enclosure (w/o shelf) are usually only a 1-2 degrees variance. Thanks again.