New Snake Owner, Questions!

[KarenL]

Vypr, do you have an Under Tank Heater (UHT)? Snakes prefer belly heat and it helps them to digest their prey. I only use the overhead heat lights for 48 hours after mine have eaten or if the temps in the room drop and I need additional heat. The important thing however you heat your terrarium is to make sure that the heat source is controlled by a thermostat/rheostat so that the heat goes off once it exceeds the desired temps. This is important as snakes do not feel heat in the same way as we do and can get burned. I use this one Amazon.com : R-Zilla Controller Temperature, 500-watt : Aquarium Heaters : Pet Supplies

[sharthun]

Another great source of heat are radiant heat panels. I used to use belly heat but I will never go back after using the radiant heat panels. They heat the ambient air much better than heat tape/mats.

RBI Radiant Heat Panels

Also, a very good inexpensive thermostat is the hydrofarm:

Hydrofarm: Digital Temperature Controller for Heat Mat

You can find them online for around $30 plus shipping.

Originally Posted by KarenL

Vypr, do you have an Under Tank Heater (UHT)? Snakes prefer belly heat and it helps them to digest their prey. I only use the overhead heat lights for 48 hours after mine have eaten or if the temps in the room drop and I need additional heat. The important thing however you heat your terrarium is to make sure that the heat source is controlled by a thermostat/rheostat so that the heat goes off once it exceeds the desired temps. This is important as snakes do not feel heat in the same way as we do and can get burned. I use this one Amazon.com : R-Zilla Controller Temperature, 500-watt : Aquarium Heaters : Pet Supplies

[vypr]

I just have a simple 4watt under the tank heater, I'll probably need to upgrade and get a temperature controller with it then.

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by vypr

I just have a simple 4watt under the tank heater, I'll probably need to upgrade and get a temperature controller with it then.

Yeah that sounds kind of small. At least try to cover 1/3 of the bottom of tank with heat mat/tape.

[vypr]

Originally Posted by sharthun

Yeah that sounds kind of small. At least try to cover 1/3 of the bottom of tank with heat mat/tape.

Should the temperature probe be laying right on top of the heat mat or above the substrate?

EDIT: I am using a day/night timer, should the bulbs also be controlled by the temperature controller.
Also something weird is he is always going to the opposite side of the heat for some reason.

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by vypr

Should the temperature probe be laying right on top of the heat mat or above the substrate.
Also what temperature should the heat mat be, and could I use that temperature controller in addition to the heat bulb?

This is why it's important to have a thermostat to control your heat source. When I used heat tape, I put the thermostat temp probe between the heat tape and the glass underneath the tank to insure that it didn't get too hot to burn the animal. Then with temp probe or temp gun I took readiings above substrate and then adjusted the temp on tstat up or down to get desired temp of hot side but not too hot to harm the animal. I use a temp gun to read surface temps and air temps around the enclosures. You can put your tstat temp probe on substrate or under substrate just above heat tape/mat, but the probe will get moved around by your reptile. Lot's of adjusting either way. The idea is not to harm your animal and control your temps and a tstat will take care of that. Hope this made sense! lol Lot's of temp readings and adjustments.

[vypr]

Originally Posted by sharthun

This is why it's important to have a thermostat to control your heat source. When I used heat tape, I put the thermostat temp probe between the heat tape and the glass underneath the tank to insure that it didn't get too hot to burn the animal. Then with temp probe or temp gun I took readiings above substrate and then adjusted the temp on tstat up or down to get desired temp of hot side but not too hot to harm the animal. I use a temp gun to read surface temps and air temps around the enclosures. You can put your tstat temp probe on substrate or under substrate just above heat tape/mat, but the probe will get moved around by your reptile. Lot's of adjusting either way. The idea is not to harm your animal and control your temps and a tstat will take care of that. Hope this made sense! lol Lot's of temp readings and adjustments.

Geez, what a process I'll try to order that temp controller ASAP.
The thing is he is always on the cool side, he goes behind the rock thing in my exo terra terrarium
imgur: the simple image sharer

Lol


EDIT: Might have found out why, after waiting awhile for my temperature to read the hot side is 99 f! The cold side is 81f
Would a temperature controller decrease the wattage or turn off the bulb?

[vypr]

Setup Update
* Added Heat Tape - 1/3 of the Terrarium
* New Exo-Terra Terrarium
* Hydrafarm Heat Probe/Monitor
* New Hides
* Removed Heat Bulbs, temporary CFL
* New Decor

Setup Images: imgur: the simple image sharer

Latest Snake Feeding: imgur: the simple image sharer


I really appreciate all the help guys!
He is also very docile now, he hasn't even musked me in 2 weeks!

I am really wanting a second snake now when I get enough for another setup, I am looking into Hognose snakes.

[sharthun]

Looks great! I would feed inside the enclosure. And for more security cover 3 sides of your tank.





[B][/B]

Originally Posted by vypr

Setup Update
* Added Heat Tape - 1/3 of the Terrarium
* New Exo-Terra Terrarium
* Hydrafarm Heat Probe/Monitor
* New Hides
* Removed Heat Bulbs, temporary CFL
* New Decor

Setup Images: imgur: the simple image sharer

Latest Snake Feeding: imgur: the simple image sharer


I really appreciate all the help guys!
He is also very docile now, he hasn't even musked me in 2 weeks!

I am really wanting a second snake now when I get enough for another setup, I am looking into Hognose snakes.

[vypr]

Originally Posted by sharthun

Looks great! I would feed inside the enclosure. And for more security cover 3 sides of your tank.





[B][/B]

It's a fully enclosed Exo-Terra Terrarium, it just has clear glass.

I thought people said to feed him in another tank to prevent substrate ingestion?

[EL Ziggy]

Looking good vypr. You're off to a great start. I would definitely agree with Steve about feeding inside the enclosure and covering 3 sides of the tank. Sounds like you're falling victim to the same addiction many of us have here. You can't have just one snake . I got my first in Feb. 2103, my 2nd in June '13, my third in Jan '14 and I'm working on a 4th by July or August. I'm pumping the brakes after that. Best wishes.

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Looking good vypr. You're off to a great start. I would definitely agree with Steve about feeding inside the enclosure and covering 3 sides of the tank. Sounds like you're falling victim to the same addiction many of us have here. You can't have just one snake . I got my first in Feb. 2103, my 2nd in June '13, my third in Jan '14 and I'm working on a 4th by July or August. I'm pumping the brakes after that. Best wishes.

For sure EZ! I hope I can put on the brakes after 5!

[Kera]

Snakes can digest bones and fur. In the wild, they'll get twigs with their meals, etc. They can handle a little substrate, lol it's better for you and the snake to feed in the tank. totally up to you though, you're snake. And by cover three sides, they mean with dark paper or paint, to make it feel more secure inside the tank, but again, that's merely a suggestion. Either way, your snake will be fine. Many people have success doing either or. Best of luck, awesome pics as well.

[vypr]

Originally Posted by Kera

Snakes can digest bones and fur. In the wild, they'll get twigs with their meals, etc. They can handle a little substrate, lol it's better for you and the snake to feed in the tank. totally up to you though, you're snake. And by cover three sides, they mean with dark paper or paint, to make it feel more secure inside the tank, but again, that's merely a suggestion. Either way, your snake will be fine. Many people have success doing either or. Best of luck, awesome pics as well.

Oh, I was confused thanks for cleaning that up. I'll work on getting something in place for that.

I'll start feeding him in the terrarium, any clear benefits in doing so?

[Kera]

Less stressful for the snake, saves your hand from being bit (though I know not all snakes bite after feeding, there is always the chance as it may still be in feeding mode), also prevents regurge, depending on the age of the snake.