A few Q's

[AiSuki]

Hey, I did read the help guides and stuff on these things..but I have a few questions..

Enclosures:

Is it really better to have a small one vs a large glass one? Because everytime I see the small plastics I think "is that snake really getting the most out of it's life?"
So I'd just like to know, is it better to have it smaller or larger? Because my BP has a 30 gal glass tank with lots of things in it. (log, 3 water dishes, cave, and driftwood)

I read that some like to explore, while other people say they like being someplace small. Mine likes to climb the walls of my tank. So was just wondering..does it depend on how the snake started off or no?

I do like the idea of using plactic containers for caves and water dishes and stuff like that. But not for housing..but then again, I'm kind of against keeping any animal in too tight of a living arrangment. XD


Heating:

I have been to pet stores all over my area and can't find a digital thermostate. And I think I need one, right? I have four readers, the regular ones? For both sides of my tank so I can tell how hot the warm side/cool side is. But the warm side isn't getting over 85 degrees. I have a 20 gal heating mat on that side and a 30 gal heat emitter too. Humidity is pretty fine though. It's sitting at 70% most days. I don't let it get under 60%, I mist it when it needs it.

But I looked and couldn't find why it wouldn't get very hot in my cage. =/
It's hot where I live and we have the ceiling fan on all day long in the summer so I have the enclosure covered with a towel to lock heat/humidity in.

Any advice on how to keep it warmer, or where I might find a digital thermostate that I can stick to the base of the tank will be greatly appreciated!

(p.s. if this is posted in wrong area or anything. I'm sorry! ><)

[steve45859]

I went with a 40g glass tank for my snake, he definetly doesn't need all of that space. But I figured that one he gets full grown he would be happier and I would to since I won't have to go out and buy a second tank.

The problem with the glass enclosure though is the top of the cage let's all of the hot air out. I also tried to cover up a good portion of it with a towel except for a spot for the heat lamp and to let air escape. That didnt work so I read an interesting idea on this site. Take some aluminum foil, place it reflective side down on the top of the wiremesh top, place down 3 layers, and completely cover the foil with Duct tape. I just did that today and without any extra help the tank has gone up two degrees on its own and it even got colder outside today with all the rain over here.

[AiSuki]

Well, that's the thing here. My cage doesn't have a net/screen top at all. It has a fishtank top made of plastic that fits over it (I paid a good amount for that thing too lol)

And sometimes it'll get hot in there but lately I can't find out where I'm losing heat. Unless my mat is dying..It's a Zoo Meds mat too, supposed to be the best there is.

Could the glass be not absorbing the heat enough maybe? My snake still roams around the tank alot at night and stuff, I just don't want it getting below 80 degrees, that's all.


=Status=

Time: 8:28pm
Humidity: 75%
Temp: 86 degrees
(warm side)

[GirDance]

zoo med sells a lot of different kinds of UTH sources... Did you buy their flat regular one, or did you get one of their substrate brands, dessert or rainforest??

Each different one will get to a different heat... Now, with that being said, it's most likely hottest right at the glass, do you have a termometer that has a probe on it, and if so where is the probe placed currently???

[AiSuki]

I don't know if they are probes or ot..they just stick to the glass on the inside of the cage. I have them on each side on the bottom corners at ground level so I know what the temp is at where my snake crawls.

The mat is just a regular I think. My husband bought it so I'm not 100% sure but when I looked at petco last night at them just for the heck of it, they only had one kind, and that is where he bought it at. So I assume it's the regular kind. Could it be waring out?



P.S. I'm sorta on a tight bujest this week, my paycheck was not what I thought it would be. >< So if I need to buy more stuff to make it hotter in the cage I hope it can wait til thursday..

It's standing at about 85 degrees now on the warm side

[dr del]

Hi,


If you can move the probes I would try measuring the temps inside his hot end hide and inside the hide under the substrate directly on the glass. This would tell you the temps he is usually exposed to when resting and the maximum he could be exposed to if he burrowed down through the substrate.


dr del

[GirDance]

I don't know if they are probes or ot..they just stick to the glass on the inside of the cage. I have them on each side on the bottom corners at ground level so I know what the temp is at where my snake crawls.

The mat is just a regular I think. My husband bought it so I'm not 100% sure but when I looked at petco last night at them just for the heck of it, they only had one kind, and that is where he bought it at. So I assume it's the regular kind. Could it be waring out?



P.S. I'm sorta on a tight bujest this week, my paycheck was not what I thought it would be. >< So if I need to buy more stuff to make it hotter in the cage I hope it can wait til thursday..

It's standing at about 85 degrees now on the warm side

Sounds like you don't have the correct type of thermometre.

I would suggest finding something like an accurite... They will be battery powered with a digital read out.

The probes I was asking about will be a little knobby thing on a cord which attaches to the thermometre. I can send you a picture if you like.

The stick on and analogue varieties are very unreliable... Investing in a good digital thermometre will cost you between 15 and 50$... Much cheaper than rearranging heating supplies etc, and in the long run they can be a life saver

[AiSuki]

Oh, can you please post a picture? That'd help me out alot!
I was actually looking at some of those last night on reptilesupply.com But wasn't sure if I should buy it or not, seeing as I really don't know which ones I need to buy and all.

Thanks for all the feedback on this, it's really appreciated!

[darkangel]

Even though it can be difficult to understand at first why it's not cruel, or limiting the snake in some way, they honestly do like to be in tight, small places. I have an adult male in a 41 qt tub, and aside from feeding, he barely uses half of it, preferring to stay in one hide most of the time. When bps are in enclosures that are too big, they can get stressed and refuse to eat. Once your snake settles in, you probably won't see much of him -- they don't leave the hide very much.

[GirDance]

Oh, can you please post a picture? That'd help me out alot!
I was actually looking at some of those last night on reptilesupply.com But wasn't sure if I should buy it or not, seeing as I really don't know which ones I need to buy and all.

Thanks for all the feedback on this, it's really appreciated!

Here you go, this should give you some idea of what you're looking for. Spending a little bit extra on an all in one unit will save you in the long run because you won't have to buy a separate one for each... Everyone from the states seems to advocate the Accu-Rites that you can find at walmart for about 18$, I could find one here though



As for enclosure size, keep in mind that these are very shy animals. They like to hide, and feel secure on all sides, they are also ground dwelling, so anything with too much height is going to stress them out. I have heard the length comparison for the enclosure to be 1.5 times the length of your snake for her to be comfortable, and no more than 6-12 inches high depending on age/size. You want to make sure her hides are small enough to touch her on all sides.