UTH mounted sideways? will it work?

[gargoyle]

Just wondering if anyone has mounted a UTH on the side of a GTP's cage to create the horizontal thermal gradient that is recomended and needed for them, or is it just as good mounting the UTH under just one of the ends on the bottom? I would think that the UTH mounted on the side would be more efficient if the perch is mounted higher (2/3) up the cage! Does anyone know this from personal experience?

[BoidKeeper]

I don't know anyone who uses heat pads that way. Most Chondro keepers use three perches that start low and move up and are the lenght of the cage with an over head heat source over one end at the top. That way the snake can thermoregulate both horozontally and vertically.
Then again there are people who use racks for their arboreal stuff with only heat tape running up the back of the rack which would provide heat exactly like you are asking about. I plan on making a rack for my Amazon Tree boas that will be heated with heat tape up the back. I know other people do it and it works so it may work for you but unsless it was a rack I wouldn't bother I would either go with a heat lamp or heat panel.
Cheers,
Trevor

[gargoyle]

I've heard from almost everyone that I've talked to that there is no point in putting multilple perches in a GTP's cage as they will almost always pick the highest regardless of the temps? Can someone confirm or shoot down this?

I don't plan on using a rack, just single caging for my guys now! At least for this species but I don't use any heat tape as I'm a stickler for the insurance crap and the csa ratings!

[BoidKeeper]

Tell that to my two chondros that use them all. Also tell that to Greg Maxwell who also uses multiple perches.
Cheers,
Trevor

[marisa]

My guy uses all his perches too. The highest warm point after eating, and the cool side of the highest or the second lower perch at other times.

Marisa

[gargoyle]

I'm just repeating what I've seen on a lot of care sheets, I'm not saying that you're not doing it right! I'm just looking for some friendly advise not an argument!

[brutus]

oh, well you came to the wrong place. nobody here wants to help, they all want to point out your short commings. lol.

[Brandon Osborne]

One perch will work and so with the heat pad on the side of the tank. Most of my chondro cages have one perch in them. I've offered more to a few in the past and they pick the highest perch 99% of the time. Several will sit in the exact same spot for months at a time......only moving to drink.

Brandon Osborne

[gargoyle]

Ok since we seem to have a debate here, how about we use it that way.....

How many peoples green tree pythons use anything but the highest perch?

And while we're at it, how many people have them set up with more than one perch?

[BoidKeeper]

I'm not saying that you're not doing it right! I'm just looking for some friendly advise not an argument!
Didn't mean to sound argumentative at all nor did I think you were looking for an argument. I'm just trying to get you to maybe question what you've read so far. Multiple perches allows for more opurtunaty for excersize. In Emerlads one perche can lead to constipation. The more perches the more you snake has to do.
Cheers,
Trevor

[gargoyle]

I always question what I read, that is exactly why I posted this question, and again, I would never and have never said that a way someone else is doing things is "wrong". I figure if it works for them, it's great. But it may not work that good for everyone!

[BoidKeeper]

Yup it's funny how what works for one person will not work for another.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Brandon Osborne]

All but 2 of my cages have only one perch. Most only use one and seldom move from one side to the other. In one instance, a rather large female has 3 perches to choose from. She sits on the right side of the top perch unless gravid. During gestation, she'll pick the lowest perch over the water bowl where temps hover in the mid to low 70's. I do not offer heat at night and never have.......unless my room doesn't have at least temps in the low 70's. Some will use multiple perches, but I've removed them due to lack of use. They will also use a hide, but who wants a chondro if they can't see it?......try it. You'll never see your chondro. Lots of things work. Use what works best for you. I bet you find ways that are much easier than the "books" say. Good luck and enjoy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/blkkestrel/SummerSideClose.jpg
Brandon Osborne

"Summer" 2003 SCZ line/Brandon Osborne
Pic by Brie Earnst courtesy of Julian Garcia

[BoidKeeper]

Brandon the eyes on that thing are crazy! Did you produce it?
Thanks for sharing,
Trevor

[Brandon Osborne]

Thanks Trevor. This is one I produced in '03. It's a month away from turning 2 years old, and was just about done with the green color at 11 months old. This pic was taken just a few days ago. I've produced a lot of high yellows from the parents of this one, but Summer is the animal that made me keep everything back from '04. I want one for myself now. This snake is now owned by Julian Garcia.

Brandon Osborne

[Brent Strande]

Gargoyle,

My chondro continually uses the same perch as well. He only uses the uppermost perch and is perched in the same spot all day, and only moves from it at night. During the daytime hours I very seldom see him anywhere else!

[rynwilliams]

I have two perches in all my vivs, and i have found that during the day they mostly all will curl on the top perch, but when the lights go out they go into hunt mode and climb on all of them.

[Sonyr]

I'm going to have to agree with Brandon here. I have more than one perch in my cages, BUT, in my collection, I don't have one who utilizes more than one. I don't think they'd miss it if i removed the extra one. And as far as excercise goes, if anything, they roam around the floor of the cage when they feel the need to, just my two cents.

sony

[emkovar]

We keep multiple perches in our GTP's enclosure. She seems to use several of the perches depending on her mood.