Heat issues - New BP

[jglass38]

So today I got my first snake, a beautiful yearling BP bought at the awesome Wild Cargo in West Palm Beach, FL. I have him (or her) in a 10 gallon glass tank, screen top (with securing clips) with the carpet at the bottom, 2 hides (one on each side) and a water bowl. I have a UTH on the left (warm) side. As I read more and more, I realized temperatures can fluctuate with those things. The snake looked comfortable under the warm side hide but to be safe I went to Walmart and picked up an indoor/outdoor thermometer with humidity reading (digital with the probe). I used the double stick tape and put the actual unit on the cool side with the probe on the warm side directly on the glass under the carpet. The warm side measured 110 degrees. I immediately unplugged the UTH. The cool side seems fine at min 78/max 84. The warm side is now down to 103 since I unplugged the unit. The humidity is now at 48%. Questions:

1. How do I stabilize the temperature at 90-95 on the warm side? I have read all about thermostats and rheostats and dimmers but have no clue how to wire things.

2. How do I get the humidity up? Maybe a different substrate?

Thanks in advance for any responses. I am excited about my new friend and dont want to harm him in anyway.

Jamie

[mykee]

Aquariums are notoriously difficult to maintain a high humidity in. Get rid of the screeen top, or cover it with something that allows humidty to stay in. 2; buy a rheostat. No need to wire a rheostat, you can buy one at the pet store for $20, they're all simply plug and play, but make sure you get the temp set at between 90-95 on the hot side.

[jglass38]

Didn't even know such a thing existed! I will pick one up tomorrow. Hopefully he will be ok with the UTH off until then. Dont want to burn him. Hopefully no damage was done when it was 110 and he was sleeping in there.

[bryan139]

Just some advise. Don't rely on the substrate for humidity. To a degree it could help but if it's too damp it could cause scale rot on the belly. An easy way is to throw a damp wash cloth over the screen. If the humidity gets too high fold it back a few inches untill it gets to where it needs to be.

[jglass38]

Quick update on the still unnamed BP. I took back the 10 gallon and got a 20 long. It has more room for a tree branch,some fake plants and both hides as well as a larger water dish which should help the humidity and his ability to take a quick soak when he wants. I went to Walmart and got an awesome digital thermometer with probe (indoor/outdoor) so I can get the temp on the hot side with the probe and the ambient temperature of the tank (and of the cool side). The rheostat works great and has helped me stabilize the hot side at about 93 degrees. The ambient temperature is around 77-80 degrees. He is still a little skiddish and tends to stay in the small hide on the hot side all the time. We have been taking him out daily and he seems to like to be down my girlfriend's shirt (I dont blame him). Anyway, thanks for all the help and I will post some pics of him and the tank setup when the camera recharges.

Jamie

[mykee]

More advice; Keep the handling to zero for the first few weeks. He may seem all neat and fun to play with seeing as how he's a new pet, but you could be stressing him out a great deal. Especially since he's been in your care for a few days, and has seen two different environments. Leave him for at least a week, no touching at all, and hope he eats. Good luck.

[jglass38]

Got it. I will keep the handling to a minimum. Wednesday is feeding day. Seeing how he fed at the store, I dont think it will be a problem. Except for the fact that he ate live at the store and we are feeding F/T.

Another question...

What is the consensus on whether snakes should be fed in their enclosures or in a seperate container? I know substrate is a consideration. I use the coconut husks.

Thanks!

Jamie