my cage

[phoney12233]

hey everyone :) im new to this site, and so i dont even really know how to check my messages that i have on this thread so it might be pointless to even answer me lol, but i was wondering.. i have a red tailed boa female, about 5 feet long, and she has lived in cages without the recomended temperature for quite a while. she has 2 heat rocks under a hide, with also a heat lamp above her which she spends most of her time under. i was wondering if it is absolutely neccesary to have the temperature in the cage 28-30 degrees celsius, or if it is ok the way it is. and if not, i could use some tips on how to get the temperature to that level.. i dont even have a thermostat or anything like that at this point, but ive just recently been looking up on thier health, and im probably going to get one soon.

[bamafish13]

Heat rocks=not good...they can burn your snakes skin :no:

[kenchenzo]

dump heat rock for a start.

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

as has been said heat rocks are bad as they can very easily burn your snake

i would change your heat source for peace of mind

its only carpet pythons i keep so i cannot give you the correct temps for your boa

i can however tell you that having the correct temperatures for your snake is the most important thing of all

wrong temperatures can lead to respiritory infections,stress and also stop your snake eating

it is very important you keep the temperatures correct at all times

cheers shaun

[Marica]

From what I've read, the materials encasing the heat emitter on heat rocks is not always even and therefore some areas of the rock can get quite hot which is why a snake can get burnt. I've also heard that they are prone to malfunctioning and overheating.

Depending on your enclosure I would recommend replacing the rocks with a UTH (Under-Tank Heater). You can get a thermometer with probe from a pet store for about $10-15 and regulate the UTH with a rheostat (cheapest is a lamp dimmer from a department or hardware store for about $8-10) or a thermostat (cheaper on-off dial ones can be purchased at pet store or proportional digital online).

Also, you are wanting to measure your temps from the bottom of enclosure right above the UTH as that is where your snake will be absorbing the heat from, it's okay for the ambient temperature to be a little lower.

[phoney12233]

ok well i do have a heat pad for under the cage which isnt in use right now, but my heat rocks ive had for years and i used them for my water dragon as well, and over time they have pretty much lost all thier heat anyways.. like they are only remotely warm.. but i dont think a heat pad would work for under my tank because its all wood and the tank is right on top of a stand with no room in between.. i will get a thermometer from the pet shop soon. but the thing about my cage is it is the type of cage that is very open, so its hard to control the temperature in it.. i will be making a new cage soon because i am planning to breed eventually, and i want another boa, but i need to get this snakes stuff in order long before i can actually take steps towards breeding her i know.

[kenchenzo]

if the rocks are old then i would deffo dump them mate.

[Reptile_Reptile]

i am planning to breed eventually

you should get yourself together before you breed. that being said yea you should dump the H rocks and get a UTH just use old vhs on the corners to raise it or something so the excess heat can escape (on wood i would get the 10G tank UTH it wont be strong enough to start a fire or anything) and cover some of the open areas with a moist towel that you should change every day that helps with both heat and humidity. :)

[phoney12233]

ok guys well it will have to wait till tomorrow but i guess those heat rocks are gonna have to leave lol.. and i know i would have to wait to breed.. i wouldnt even be planning on attempting anything untill next winterish and thats not even for sure.

[dragunov.762]

if you want to breed first get a book, read it two or three times. now that you know what you are doing put it into practice. get your setup right. remember that RTB can have 50 live young at a time so you are going to need the space for all of them. a book i would recommend is the boa constrictor manual by philippe de vosjoli. i got a copy at half price books for 5 bucks, the best investment you can make in taking care of and breeding boas