Heat & Light Suggestions

texasrumrunner · #1 (**permalink**) 09-19-2003, 10:36 PM

Recently i adopted a 5 1/2' RTB from a friend whos new apartment doesnt allow snakes. I have built a 6' high, 4' wide, 3' deep enclosure. (the best dimensions for the limited space i have). The top is screen, front is plexiglass, and the sides & floor are made of plywood. I added a large branch from one of the bottom corners to the opposite top corner for climbing. I was looking for suggestions for heating & light sources. All the pet stores ive talked to are against under tank heat sources, they all recommend light sources from above, but the cage is 6 foot tall. anyway, any thoughts? Thanks

LdyDrgn · #2 (**permalink**) 09-19-2003, 10:49 PM

With the enclosure being so tall it will be a challenge to get it heated properly and to maintain proper humidity. One thing you do NOT want to do is listen to pet stores. Most of the information they give out is false, although I am rather surprised they didn't try to sell you a heat rock!! grrrrrr.... ok, anyway......

Bottom heat is GOOD! With a wooden floor you may need to look into getting a Kane heat mat in order to provide heat on the floor while the boa is resting/digesting food (belly heat helps the digestion process). To provide heat from above, use flood lamps and lamp cages so the boa doesn't climb up and burn itself from nosing or wrapping around it. If the top screen is a heavy metal type, then get light domes with ceramic fixtures for the flood lamps and place them on the screen.

Cover part of the screen up somehow, too or all the humidity will escape when you do the daily mistings.

Good luck

telefrag · #3 (**permalink**) 09-19-2003, 10:53 PM

I would do both if possible, belly heat is beneficial, but snakes in the wild dont have heat mats to sit on, but you can give it the most natural way by pointing a heat lamp (spotlight) at a flat piece of slate. Basking on rocks, and on solid ground is one way they build up heat for the days/nights activities, that most closely duplicates the way it happens in nature.
But unfortunately many of us due to space constraints dont have that type of room to have a 6' tall enclosure.
You could try your luck with different wattage heat lamps (50-75w probably) and see how warm it heats up the different areas of the cage, but since its so tall, it will have a hard time reaching the bottom. So shelves or branches to bask on wouldnt be a bad idea.

But bottom line is, you should probably go with a heat lamp to heat the air, and a heat pad/mat to heat a small section of the bottom.

It may take a few different setups for you to get it right, which is why its ALWAYS a good idea to have the cage set up and heated for a week or so before adding the snake so you can get an idea of what the environment will be like inside.

But sounds like you didnt have the luxury of time to do that.

telefrag · #4 (**permalink**) 09-19-2003, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LdyDrgn

One thing you do NOT want to do is listen to pet stores.

Thats not always true, I have been to many pet stores that didnt give out false or inaccurate information.

Plus I did work at one for several years (a long time ago) and I didnt even order heat rocks, I told people to go to wal mart and home depot to get heat pads and lamps.

LdyDrgn · #5 (**permalink**) 09-19-2003, 11:07 PM

A majority of pet stores do give out false or bad info, though. It is good to get a second opinion (and third, LOL) from people that actually have experience with herps. Like US for instance, heh.

There is a pet store here that sells a LOT of herps, and they seem knowledgable. However, just from the condition they keep their animals in, I would not buy anything from them or listen to what they had to say. Heck, I won't even enter the shop anymore.

JuliusSqueezer · #6 (**permalink**) 09-19-2003, 11:23 PM

I love Petco...Before I went in petco, I didn't know you were supposed to feed a 2 1/2 foot Brazilian rainbow boa a pink mouse and then bounce crickets off his head while he was trying to eat the tiny little meal. I think that kid actually wet himself while I was chewing him out lol.

RoYaL_619 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-19-2003, 11:47 PM

I agree with lady dragon, most pet store dont educate their employees about reptiles and other animals. Iv'e been to so many pet store and asked question and never got a straight answer and the funny part is thats their department. what I really hate and really bothers me is when you ask to a snake and the employee said no their afreaid of snakes let me call someone else. If you ask me why work at a pet store than.

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