Questions about my new boa

[nimrodfiftyfour]

I just got a boa that I was told is a peruvian red tail. However, after looking at pics, I don't think it is. She is very lightly colored with little spotting beween bands. She also has a peach tint to her head, and a fairly bold peach underbelly. Any ideas? I'll try to get a pic soon.
Also, I've never had a snake, but was told they are good beginers. I currently have it in a 55 gallon terrarium (its about 3.5 feet long) with carefresh bedding (told it was good so that it could burrow), a ceramic heat emitter, a light bulb on a timer, and a water bowl. What should I have? Is this good? What should be their photoperiod and what temp should I keep her at? Thanks for any help!

[nuno]

A picture would be necessary to identify your snake properly. The ambient daytime air temperature throughout the enclosure must be maintained between 82-90 F (28-32 C), with a basking area kept at 90-95 F (32-35 C). At night, the ambient air temperature may be allowed to drop down no lower than 78-85 F (26-30 C)

Nuno

[Dark_Angel_25]

and she needs 2 hides.. I didn't see that you mentioned any... but definately get her 2 hides one for warm and one for cool.

[BurmGuy87]

Also make sure ya do this stuff next time before ya get it;) Not trying to be just mean just inforative is all.

Ya get some pics too I wanna see her. And everything you have sounds good. Maybe give her two hides and some climbing branches? I bet she'd appreciate those:) I know my boa loves to climb, climb, and climb MORE!

[Linds]

They don't need a light bulb for light, a window in a room will provide enough light to the room for a natural photoperiod. Make sure humidity stays around 60%. You will want to give the carefresh a light misting, as it is quite dry. Tanks aren't the best for holding heat or humidity either. It is also a good idea since they are so open, to put paper or whatnot on 3 sides so the snake doesn't feel so exposed. Belly heat is the most efficient way of heating (heat rises so doesn't it make sense to heat from the bottom instead of the top?, as well as it uses significantly less amount of energy), so if your CHE isn't enough I would suggest getting a UTH or heat tape. Is your snake small? 55 might be a bit large if it is just a baby. You may have to fill it with a lot of hides and decorations, or possibly even downsize if your snake presents any feeding problems. Anyways, good luck with your new snake. Get some pics up soon as possible ;)

Originally posted by Dark_Angel_25
and she needs 2 hides.. I didn't see that you mentioned any... but definately get her 2 hides one for warm and one for cool.

Snakes don't necessarily *need* hides. Out of my twenty-something snakes, only 2 of them need hides. The rest do fine without them.

[BurmGuy87]

I only offer a hide box to my baby Black Rat Snake.....he is still shy.

I'm sure he wouldnt mind them tho haha

[nimrodfiftyfour]

I'm getting a UTH tonight. Also, she hides almost constantly burrowed in the carefresh, I have quite alot in there. for humidity I was thinking I'd make an egg-crate top and wrap it with half seran-wrap to make it less open and then also get her a humid hide box. Right now she is prob. about 3 feet long. Also, I usually research before I buy, but if I didn't get her then, they were going to sell her to someone else. I couldn't let that happen! :p . Thanks everyone.

[nimrodfiftyfour]

I was looking at redtailboas.com and she looks almost exactly like his pastel http://www.redtailboas.com/pastel/index.shtml

[daver676]

Ah yes. The "Red X" morph. I'm VERY familiar with this one. :D

[nimrodfiftyfour]

So I don't know how to post pics, don't rub it in :p