new red tail

[yellermelon]

hey ive had different people tell me different temps for my red tail, ive heard ranges as far as basking temp no more than 85 and up to 100.. ive also heard a background temp is really important the only logical way i can see to do this would be a very small wattage heat bulb like 35-40 watts and a human heat pad on low with some reptic carpet between it and the glass tank bottom. with just the heat pad on low im producing 93-95 degree temps with a 60 watt bulb im getting 100 dgree temps i turned the light off for fear of roasting by baby. shes in a 40 breeder with trees hides and a big water dish any ideas or input is greatly helpful. thank you
chris:)

[ohh_kristina]

temp ranges should be 80-90. Nothing over 92, I would say..unless she's got a RI or some such.

[yellermelon]

thanks for speedy answer now..any suggestions of best way too reach such a low temp:)

[ohh_kristina]

oh, sorry. you should use an under tank heater with a rheostat to control the temps.

[hip]

Temps should be as follows for The B.c.i (and most of the insular forms) A hot spot no more than 95 f (somewere between 92-94 is about ideal) in the cool end you should try to have an ambient temp of 82-84. At night the cool end should be dropped a couple of degrees not going lower than 78 and keeping the basking area the same(very important if you have fed the boa and for a couple of days after feeding) Humidity should be in the 60-70% range.



Hip

[spydermrs]

I have had a B.C.I. for about a month now. I have heard so many different stories & read so many different books about what temp & humidity you should keep them at, it's unbelievable. I kept him up in the 90's temp & 60% humidity & I ended up with a bad shed & he's since developed scale rot because of the high extremes. The best advice I have heard is from someone who has kept quite a lot of B.C.I. He keeps his Boa's at 87*F in the day & drops them down to 74*F at night. with humidity around 45%. I'm hoping the scale rot will clear up soon & we will see how things go, But he does seem a lot more happy with these settings.

[hip]

Spyder mrs At those temps did you notice the boa in question soaking at all? Scale rot is a problem with high humidity and boa's will soak for extended periods of time if the temps are too high.As your boa gets older those higher temps could lead to regurge problems as you will be feeding larger prey and it will go rancid before it can be digested and thusly be regurged.Humidity should be 60-70% and this will help reduce the need to soak prior to a shed.




Hip

[snakemann87]

I prefer to keep my BCI at 82-88 degrees. With a human heat pad on low at the side of the water dish.

OH and its a new law.....you gotta post a pic of your new baby! LOL

- Don (Oscar) Meyer

[JDouglas]

Has anyone seen the new video by the Barker's (VPI), and Rich Ihle (salmonboa.com) for boas. They go into detail about husbandry and Rich keeps his cool side at 86 and his hot spot is at 105 created by 11 inch flexwatt. He puts a tub of moist mulch over the hot spot for humidity. I bumped my cages a few degrees to match his set up an now it seems my boas are doing great.

[Jeff_Favelle]

JD, my copy of that vid is in the mail. I heard about that. Very interesting. I mean, these dudes are at the HEAD of boa husbandry, soo..........

[HetForHuman]

I also have the video and have tried a few things he does and it seems to be working.

Hehe well it should i guess Rich Ihle is one of the top breeders of boas in the country.
I recommend this video to anybody who keeps boas.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Rich Ihle is one of the top breeders of boas in the country.

Rich Ihle lives in Canada now?



;) :D

[MAN OF STEEL]

i second hip's post. perfect for my snakes and just as good for any other bci

[JDouglas]

I am prettty sure Rich Ihle is in Arizona/USA! LOL

[reverendsterlin]

Yep Rich is in Mesa Arizona, about 6 hrs from here, Bob and Tracy Barker (and Don Soderburg 'albino subocs') are about 10 hrs away down by San Antonio.

[Jeff_Favelle]

I am prettty sure Rich Ihle is in Arizona/USA! LOL


That was my joke.

[JDouglas]

That was my joke.

Yes it was thanks Jeff! I thought you were serious for a second...

[spyderman]

Originally posted by hip
Spyder mrs At those temps did you notice the boa in question soaking at all? Scale rot is a problem with high humidity and boa's will soak for extended periods of time if the temps are too high.As your boa gets older those higher temps could lead to regurge problems as you will be feeding larger prey and it will go rancid before it can be digested and thusly be regurged.Humidity should be 60-70% and this will help reduce the need to soak prior to a shed.




Hip
I never really see Ozzy (Boa) in the bowl. I honestly think We have a hydrophobic Boa. We have lowered the temp to around 87*f & humidity to 50-60% With no shedding problems since.