Ventilation

[Zoe]

How much ventilation does an Emerald Tree Boa need? I would be keeping a youngster (starting to get green spots) in a rubbermaid, how many holes should I make?

Also, it is a 50L rubbermaid, is that a little on the big side?

Thanks!
Zoe

[Jeff_Favelle]

50L Rubbermaid is HUGE for a young Emerald.

These snakes literally don't do ANYTHING. They sit on the tree branch. I'd keep it in those tall 18.5L Rubbermaids (the tall version of the 11.4L) until its bursting at the seems.

[Zoe]

Okay, that's what I figured. Thanks!

But as for ventilation...?

Thanks
Zoe

[Jeff_Favelle]

Put 10 hole on each side. If it dies from lack of air, you know that there weren't enough holes. :D

[Matt_K]

hahahahahahahaa, good old trial and error eh??? :P

[Jeff_Favelle]

Ha ha Matt, I guess its only good if you succeed on the first try! LOL!!!

[Zoe]

you know that there weren't enough holes.

:S Well I don't want to risk that... Will 40 holes be enough?

Zoe

[Jeff_Favelle]

Depends on the size of the holes. One hole can be enough if its big enough and 10,000 holes can be not enough if they are pin-sized.

Sorry Zoe, but its really hard to tell. I think you're experienced enough at this stage of the game to make that call yourself, seeing as your the only one who has access and familiarity with your setup.

They need a tiny bit more ventilation than the average snake, yet they still need some humidity and heat. Kinda tricky, but not really.

[Rob McRobbie]

Zoe,

Here is a pic of some rubbermaids I have set up for emeralds. This pic was taken around 10:00 in the morning, about 1 hour after I misted them. By 8 or 9:00 at night, they are pretty much dried out and ready for the night cycle. I might just put a few more holes along the sides as well for cross-ventilation. It is very important the cage drys out every day or you'll run into problems with mold and mildew..

On each corner I have 16 holes (4x4) and then 3 rows of six that are on the bottom, underneath the trapdoors I installed.. Hope this helps..

Rob
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/211dscn3068.jpg

[Zoe]

Wow Rob, thank you so much! What are those trap doors? Are they holes with mesh over them, and a piece of glass to open/close the door?

Sounds like a good idea.

Zoe

[Rob McRobbie]

Here's a better pic.. There is no mesh covering it. Because they are stacked, I can open the trap door by just swinging it to one side and give them the mice off tongs or mist the cages.. It works pretty good.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/211trap_door.jpg

[Linds]

The more ventilation you can give them, the better it is. I found this way worked well for me. It goes around all four sides like that for max cross-ventilation...

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/504/22cleaningday.jpg">

(That little stick on thing is not a thermometer, its an old hygrometer my sister gave me she didn't need, no worries :p)

[Luke]

Rob,
What do you use to heat those rubbermaids?
Thanks,
Luke

[reptilesalonica]

Rob on your first pic there's an open door!...WATCH OUT!...You've got a snake loose...(kidding)...nice pics :)
~Greg~

[Rob McRobbie]

What do you use to heat those rubbermaids?

Luke,

I have flexwatt sandwiched between them. It is regulated with a dimmer switch and keeps each container quite stable, temperature-wise.


Rob

[Luke]

Thanks Rob,
I'm planning on switching all of my smaller snakes over to rubbermaids, two of wich are ATB's. Probably gonna try either heat tape or human heating pads.
Thanks again,
Luke