Please help getting a colombian red tail boa

[pathfinder36]

Generally, there is no need for a "night light". The light that comes through the enclosure during the day is normally plenty of "light" unless your home is REALLY dark. At night time, it should be dark in the enclosure to keep the day/night cycle proper. Imagine having clear eye lids and trying to sleep with the light on. =)

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[buck2003]

It may of been me that mentioned IR lamps Nora, I use them in all my vivs. There hooked up to dimmer thermostats so often at night there on really dim anyway, but regardless to the best of my knowledge snakes cant see infra red or so I was told!
Though I am looking into providing UTH as well. I've been told from several people it helps the snake digest food. I Keep asking for someone to post a pic of a human heat pad so I can find a UK equivalant? but no-one has!
Buck

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater

[pathfinder36]

Here you go! This pad is a 12'' X 15'' dry heat pad with analog H/M/L setting from HoMedics for around $10.

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[Jimbo239]

What do you think about the black lights, i've heard they cant see IR and the black night lights?

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[buck2003]

Hmm I aint seen them b4? what are they used for and what kinda place here in the UK would sell em? Ive used and seen electric blankets b4 but there bed size for sleeping on? Buck

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[hisba]

Just make sure the black lights you use are not the kind that you use for those black light posters.. those can cause damage (I believe eye damage?). Back when I used light bulbs for heating at night I used the normal blue, red or purple bulbs (party bulbs sold for household use) works just as good as any of those 'moon or night' bulbs sold for reptile use and are about half the price.
Now I just use flexwatt heat tape or human heating pads on all my cages. (I get the pads for $12 at KMart, sorry no pics tho, look just like what pathfinder posted except the ones I get are light blue.)

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[lisagordier]

Originally Posted by wreckwriter

Why use a night light? I think one really shouldn't use night light unless the ambient temp is really cold... Even then I'd use a ceramic to keep the day/night cycle better.

actually that's the reason, at least in winter. During the summer I don't use it except for helping to keep the humidity up if it drops too low.

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[lisagordier]

Originally Posted by Jimbo239

Cool thanks for the tips Lisa, your cage sounds interesting, I am currently doin some research on some cages so I can build one myself, do you by any chance have a picture of that cage. It sounds pretty creative...

Here you go,


also, here's my girl


Currently the "human humidifier" is no longer in the cage since she's grown a bit. Also, I plan on puting some silk ivy plants entwined on the sides of the cage to help with the summer humidity problem.

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[RioBravoReptiles]

This critter is so cute.. I almost regret all the ones I've run over..
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Boas need a day/night cycle, and it's best to heat boas indirectly, such as with a substrate heat source, not with a lamp. There may be some benefit to providing UV exposure.. so far nobody has proved it. Most all captive boas never get any (apppreciable) UV and thrive without it. UV exposure is theorized to be one reason wild-collected boas are often very dark compared to their captive equivalents.
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That's what I think about all that.
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Be safe, play nice!
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Oh.. danged nice Kitchenaid Mixer in this photo!
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[morti]

Gus you Necromancer! This thread is from 2005.

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[RioBravoReptiles]

Originally Posted by morti

Gus you Necromancer! This thread is from 2005.

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Yeah, I know.. but the Possum was sooo cute!

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