Got my boa, now for some care questions

[sdiamond808]

Went with a kahl sunglow female, about 1 year old. Couple of questions:

1. Guy tried to sell me a zoomed red night bulb for a little heat at night. I read that the light disrupts them, zoomed bulb claims it doesn't. What is the truth?

2. UVB, I read new information saying they can benefit from UVB, and also that it enhances their color. Any truth to this?

3. LED hoods with blue moon light. Does this interrupt a snakes sleep? They look cool at night, but I do not want to do anything that will mess with it.

4. some care guides are recommending vitamin supplements and calcium with low d3. Do I need this?

5. Also, I read about fluctuating humidity instead of keeping it constant. I am good about keeping it constant but I read this promotes mold. What kind of fluctuations am I looking for and how long at certain levels?

Any help is appreciated. I want to give her the good life.

Thanks,

[ClockwerkBonnet]

I'm not entirely sure I can help you with all five questions, but I can give you advice based on what I have read.

In general, snakes don't necessarily need UVB, but it won't hurt them if you use it anyway.

I don't have experience with mold in reptile enclosures caused by constant spraying, but it can happen when one uses substrates such as aspen shavings.

According to one study, snakes get all the nutrition they need from their diet. Nevertheless, if you do decide to get vitamins with no D3, I would recommend Rep Cal's vitamins.

[sdiamond808]

I appreciate it. Never heard of supplements. Just want her to.be healthy.

[richardhind]

Went with a kahl sunglow female, about 1 year old. Couple of questions:

1. Guy tried to sell me a zoomed red night bulb for a little heat at night. I read that the light disrupts them, zoomed bulb claims it doesn't. What is the truth?

2. UVB, I read new information saying they can benefit from UVB, and also that it enhances their color. Any truth to this?

3. LED hoods with blue moon light. Does this interrupt a snakes sleep? They look cool at night, but I do not want to do anything that will mess with it.

4. some care guides are recommending vitamin supplements and calcium with low d3. Do I need this?

5. Also, I read about fluctuating humidity instead of keeping it constant. I am good about keeping it constant but I read this promotes mold. What kind of fluctuations am I looking for and how long at certain levels?

Any help is appreciated. I want to give her the good life.

Thanks,

i wouldn't leave a light on all night in a boa tank, they would hunt in the dark in the jungle except for moonlight , my boas have natural light coming into my snake room so they get a natural day and light cycle
ive never supplementary fed any of boas as im sure they get everything from there prey
i only ever increase humidity when i notice them going into shed a high humidity would cause mold on certain bedding depends what you use , i use orchid bark
hope some of this helps

[sdiamond808]

i wouldn't leave a light on all night in a boa tank, they would hunt in the dark in the jungle except for moonlight , my boas have natural light coming into my snake room so they get a natural day and light cycle
ive never supplementary fed any of boas as im sure they get everything from there prey
i only ever increase humidity when i notice them going into shed a high humidity would cause mold on certain bedding depends what you use , i use orchid bark
hope some of this helps

As far as humidity, the ambient humidity in my house is 50%. Do I need increase it to the 60-70% range only when shedding or should I keep it in that range at all times?

Thanks,

[MDT]

Here is my two cents... less is more.

You can drive yourself crazy trying to adjust every parameter of their environment. That increases the possibility of over-shooting and under-shooting what they need. If your boa is at 50%, and it sheds fine, eats, fine, poops fine, then it's probably fine. If it has a tough shed, soak the snake, and bump humidity.

Supplements not needed and def not worth the time or expense. Everything they need is wrapped up in a little furry rat-shaped package.

Special lights? Not needed. Glass fish tank w screen lid for enclosure? Don't use it. (not saying you are, just general suggestion)... I use an LED strip on a daytime/nighttime timer. On at 0800, off at 1800.

Control hot spot with a radiant heat panel, connected to thermostat with night-time temp drop. Hides on both the hot side and cool side of enclosure. Lots of clean, fresh water (tap is fine- I can't believe the people that give filtered bottled water to their reptiles... they drink out of mud holes in the wild for crying out loud).

Don't over stress about your snake. You'll enjoy it much more.

[sdiamond808]

Here is my two cents... less is more.

You can drive yourself crazy trying to adjust every parameter of their environment. That increases the possibility of over-shooting and under-shooting what they need. If your boa is at 50%, and it sheds fine, eats, fine, poops fine, then it's probably fine. If it has a tough shed, soak the snake, and bump humidity.

Supplements not needed and def not worth the time or expense. Everything they need is wrapped up in a little furry rat-shaped package.

Special lights? Not needed. Glass fish tank w screen lid for enclosure? Don't use it. (not saying you are, just general suggestion)... I use an LED strip on a daytime/nighttime timer. On at 0800, off at 1800.

Control hot spot with a radiant heat panel, connected to thermostat with night-time temp drop. Hides on both the hot side and cool side of enclosure. Lots of clean, fresh water (tap is fine- I can't believe the people that give filtered bottled water to their reptiles... they drink out of mud holes in the wild for crying out loud).

Don't over stress about your snake. You'll enjoy it much more.

Thanks. I never thought about a radiant heat panel with a thermostat. I have a basking bulb, but seems like the heat panel might be easier. What kind of LED strip are you using?

[MDT]

It came installed in my Animal Plastics enclosures (LED is a lighting option). Bulbs are terrible. Too hot, can't control heat and dries out enclosure like crazy.

Are using a glass terrarium, or PVC type enclosure?

[sdiamond808]

I have a tetra fona 75 gallon. Glass front open with locking screen lid.

[sdiamond808]

It came installed in my Animal Plastics enclosures (LED is a lighting option). Bulbs are terrible. Too hot, can't control heat and dries out enclosure like crazy.

Are using a glass terrarium, or PVC type enclosure?

I have a tetra fona 75 gallon. Glass front open with locking screen lid.

[MDT]

I have a tetra fona 75 gallon. Glass front open with locking screen lid.

Your temp and humidity control will be difficult. Glass is not a great insulator. And you will need to use plexiglass or something to block off most of the screen top to retain humidity.

You may want to consider something like Animal Plastics, Boamaster. Prob not an expense you counted on since you already have the 75 gal terrarium, but if I'm being real, you probably should've researched a bit more on the husbandry side? It's not impossible w what you have, but it will be challenging.

Look at Herpstat or Reptile basics for a good thermometer. You can often find them for sale on the FB reptile pages, or Fauna. Same with the heat panels. Pro Products is regarded as very reliable.

[sdiamond808]

Your temp and humidity control will be difficult. Glass is not a great insulator. And you will need to use plexiglass or something to block off most of the screen top to retain humidity.

You may want to consider something like Animal Plastics, Boamaster. Prob not an expense you counted on since you already have the 75 gal terrarium, but if I'm being real, you probably should've researched a bit more on the husbandry side? It's not impossible w what you have, but it will be challenging.

Look at Herpstat or Reptile basics for a good thermometer. You can often find them for sale on the FB reptile pages, or Fauna. Same with the heat panels. Pro Products is regarded as very reliable.

I have a few good thermometers and hygrometers already. Thermal gradient is good, but I am having to mist 2 times a day to keep the humidity right. The basking bulb lights up half of it good, but it seems dark on the cool side. Are there any kind of LED setups I can get that will brighten it up on the other end during the daytime?

[PanUzasny]

I'm new to the hobby, but I recently purchased an LED Shop Light to put in my 40 gallon enclosure. It lights it up pretty nicely. It's probably not the best solution, but it works and is what I can afford right now. Maybe this will give you some different lighting ideas for your enclosure.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-3-ft-1-Light-30-Watt-White-Integrated-Utility-LED-Shop-Light-with-5-ft-Power-Cord-SHOP-3X1-840-HD/305059320

[sdiamond808]

I'm new to the hobby, but I recently purchased an LED Shop Light to put in my 40 gallon enclosure. It lights it up pretty nicely. It's probably not the best solution, but it works and is what I can afford right now. Maybe this will give you some different lighting ideas for your enclosure.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-3-ft-1-Light-30-Watt-White-Integrated-Utility-LED-Shop-Light-with-5-ft-Power-Cord-SHOP-3X1-840-HD/305059320

Do you just lay it on top of the screened lid?

[PanUzasny]

I have it "mounted" inside the enclosure. The light is just about the perfect size to wedge between the two sides of my enclosure. I was initially thinking of using command strips to mount it either to the lid or the side of the enclosure.

[MDT]

I have a few good thermometers and hygrometers already. Thermal gradient is good, but I am having to mist 2 times a day to keep the humidity right. The basking bulb lights up half of it good, but it seems dark on the cool side. Are there any kind of LED setups I can get that will brighten it up on the other end during the daytime?

I think you are missing the point. Thermometers and hygrometers won't regulate, they simply measure. You are having to mist 2x day because of the cage and the use of a bulb. Think ahead to 6 or 12 months from now.. do you honestly see yourself misting that enclosure every. single. day. ? Twice daily?

For the best success, consider a different enclosure and heating/lighting system. Will your snake live? Yes... Is it the best situation? No.. You asked for help... This is help. (I am not intending to be snarky, I promise).

Any LED light strip from Lowes or Home Depot will be fine. You may have difficulty in affixing it to the top of your screen lid though.

[sdiamond808]

I think you are missing the point. Thermometers and hygrometers won't regulate, they simply measure. You are having to mist 2x day because of the cage and the use of a bulb. Think ahead to 6 or 12 months from now.. do you honestly see yourself misting that enclosure every. single. day. ? Twice daily?

For the best success, consider a different enclosure and heating/lighting system. Will your snake live? Yes... Is it the best situation? No.. You asked for help... This is help. (I am not intending to be snarky, I promise).

Any LED light strip from Lowes or Home Depot will be fine. You may have difficulty in affixing it to the top of your screen lid though.

You're cool man, I appreciate the help. As far as the screened glass enclosure, Im locked in for now, can't spend that kind of money again for another, but I will need a larger enclosure in a few years and I will go a different route. For now all I can really change is lighting and heating. Is there a better way to heat than a basking bulb? I have seen ceramic heaters with thermostat. Let me know. Thank you.

[Andy27012]

The best advice I’ve read on caring for these or any animals was this “if the animal is eating, pooping, peeing and shedding normally change nothing”. Ie don’t worry about the humidity or temps unless the animal gives you a reason to. I’ve personally raised one of these guys in glass aquariums with screen lids ,overhead heat lamps on newspaper for the first five years of its life with no problems, I rehomed her after five years as I was getting into burms. Breeding is a different story but I don’t think your interested in that from what I’ve read. I mist once a day when they go into blue and stop after they shed and that’s it. I don't mess with a hygrometer but I do run a thermostat.
My two cents,
Andy