Questions on heating, enclosure, during cooler months

[cwburns32]

Hello all,

I am getting ready to move my guy into a larger enclosure. It is much longer and a tad bit wider but shorter in hopes it will hold heat slightly better. I have quite a few questions on how to properly heat the enclosure and am curious on what you all do help your enclosure hold the heat in during winter. The enclosure he is moving to is about 33" L x 18" W x 6" H. The heat in my home will be on soon enough which will keep my room around 70-72 throughout the day. Currently I have a very nice gradient and near perfect temps in each hide on each side of the enclosure. 75-86 across the enclosure, 76ish in one hide, 88ish in the other.

I have a 4 different sized Ultratherm UT heaters. 23" x 11", 17" x 11", 11" x 11" and 6" x 11" and I am trying to decide what would be the best combination of the 2 as I am assuming I will need a second one on the cool side to keep right around 75 all day. I have 32" x 14" to work with because of lips on the bottom of the tub. I have a few questions on how to do this.

- I hear mixed things regarding Ultratherms....some say they need to have the other side covered with something so the heat can go in one direction as they act like radiators and I hear others say that you should allow for heat to dissipate. Which is correct? I have not being using anything underneath the Ultratherms and the heat is allowed to dissipate and I have no issues with heating my 8" high tank but am curious as to what your thoughts are?

- If I can't warm the cool side enough during the winter months what do you suggest I do to keep it where it needs to be...I have heard taping or sticking insulation to the sides of the cool side (or the entire tank) can help but then I worry about warming the tank too much.

- I'm considering adding a 3rd hide at a mid range, 80 degree or some temp like I have seen some do on here. This way he can go into hiding if he'd like and not have to pick between very hot (digest temps) or very cool (lowest he should be kept at). I have the floor space now to get creative.

- I am a little concerned on holding humidity as I moving from a weather tight tub to a standard tub. Will adding a second and/or larger bowl help with this? I use aspen wood chips and typically soak a piece of paper towel or small cloth and throw it in his hides when he shedding to spike the humidity but don't want to do this all the time.

- The lips on the bottom of tub are about a 1/2" high. Currently I plan to not place the mats under these to help get heat into the tub but I would have a few more inches to work with if I could place them underneath the lips....do you think this 1/2" will greatly effect the heat and it's ability to get into the enclosure or is 1/2" not that significant.

Sorry I am long winded...I just want to be sure I create a nice, cozy environment for my guy as he seems incredibly happy in his current enclosure just very little floor space to stretch out so decided to bump him up in size a bit.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[SWDK]

I don't think you should need to add a 2nd source of heat for the cool side. If you normally keep The cool side at 74 it drops to 72-70 it's not going to hurt. The snake will still thermoregulate like usual, but may not spend as much time on the cooler side. Adding a hide in the middle gradient isn't a bad idea. If you're worried about humidity just add a humid hide and problem solved. If not, then you can mist enclosure as needed to keep humidity levels on track.

[trailblazer295]

I wouldn't worry about the cold side in winter. My house is 78-74 in summer and 70-72 in winter. The reptile room being a bit warmer in winter just due to heat put off by everything. I've never had a problem with heating. The heaters might cycle more often due to being cooler but that's it. The only real difference I've noticed is keeping humidity in winter is harder because the house is dryer. Behaviour wise I notice no difference with cold side or hot side lounging. I wouldn't worry about it so much now. Keep an eye on humidity as the average house is 50-60% in summer with an AC running and 30- 40 or lower in winter depending if you have a humidifier or not. If you notice temperature issues then feel free to report back and we'll help for sure.

[cwburns32]

I don't think you should need to add a 2nd source of heat for the cool side. If you normally keep The cool side at 74 it drops to 72-70 it's not going to hurt. The snake will still thermoregulate like usual, but may not spend as much time on the cooler side. Adding a hide in the middle gradient isn't a bad idea. If you're worried about humidity just add a humid hide and problem solved. If not, then you can mist enclosure as needed to keep humidity levels on track.

It is a Tarahumara mountain boa so I know they sometimes prefer it to be a bit cooler. I just went and got a 3rd hide. I typically dampen paper towel and throw it in his hides when he is shedding but you have to change them out very often to prevent mold which can sometimes be a pain. How do you create your humid hide? What size UTH would you recommend the 23x11 or the 17x11, working with 32x14? Thanks.

I wouldn't worry about the cold side in winter. My house is 78-74 in summer and 70-72 in winter. The reptile room being a bit warmer in winter just due to heat put off by everything. I've never had a problem with heating. The heaters might cycle more often due to being cooler but that's it. The only real difference I've noticed is keeping humidity in winter is harder because the house is dryer. Behaviour wise I notice no difference with cold side or hot side lounging. I wouldn't worry about it so much now. Keep an eye on humidity as the average house is 50-60% in summer with an AC running and 30- 40 or lower in winter depending if you have a humidifier or not. If you notice temperature issues then feel free to report back and we'll help for sure.

I am little concerned about humidity as I am in Midwest where we get very dry winters and I have the snake on the top floor of my house. Right now with nothing in the tub and with it closed the humidity is at 47% so I am may be okay for now but it is just October. Thanks for the advice.

[SWDK]

[QUOTE=cwburns32;1007442]It is a Tarahumara mountain boa so I know they sometimes prefer it to be a bit cooler. I just went and got a 3rd hide. I typically dampen paper towel and throw it in his hides when he is shedding but you have to change them out very often to prevent mold which can sometimes be a pain. How do you create your humid hide? What size UTH would you recommend the 23x11 or the 17x11, working with 32x14? Thanks.

Humid hides are quite simple to make. A Tupperware container of appropriate size for your snake with a hole cut in the lid or side. Then fill with some moistened sphagnum moss or a moistened paper towel. Then it holds humidity nicely and the snake can use as needed when it pleases. I keep one for all of my snakes and they definitely get used.

I would not use anything larger than the 17"x11" heat pad as that will cover just about 50% of the enclosure floor space. Larger than that will make it hard for the snake to get away from the heat to cool down.

[cwburns32]

Please delete/ignore.

[cwburns32]

Humid hides are quite simple to make. A Tupperware container of appropriate size for your snake with a hole cut in the lid or side. Then fill with some moistened sphagnum moss or a moistened paper towel. Then it holds humidity nicely and the snake can use as needed when it pleases. I keep one for all of my snakes and they definitely get used.

I would not use anything larger than the 17"x11" heat pad as that will cover just about 50% of the enclosure floor space. Larger than that will make it hard for the snake to get away from the heat to cool down.

I feel the paper towel would grow mold fairly quickly, no? I have heard of using sphagnum moss, I may end up doing this and replace one of the 3 hides that are in his enclosure now.

I used the 23"x11" for now (before I read this) it seems to be fine now but need to give it a few hours before I can see if it will allow the cool side to stay cool. I have a 17"x11" ready to be slid underneath the enclosure if necessary. Right now I just have the heat pad directly underneath the tub on top of the wired shelf.

Attached a 23"x11" and 17"x11" comparison and 2 finished products. I know it's overkill on thermometers but helps while I test temps and different size mats.