CRB Enclosure Help

Umbrax · 11-06-17, 10:11 AM

So, I recently ordered a Colombian rainbow Boa from BHB which will be arriving tomorrow morning. I’ve had the enclosure setup for a few days now so I can make sure the temps are where they need to be but I just want to make sure everything is good. The enclosure is a 115 qt sterilite tub with Cyprus mulch and sphagnum moss as the substrate. I have 2 small zoo med heat mats under the enclosure and a 75 w heat bulb on top aimed at the hot spot. The heat mats and lamp are all hooked up to a Zilla thermostat set to about 89 degrees (with the probe resting under the substrate directly above the heat mats). I have a humidity gauge and zoo med temp gauge on the hot spot monitoring temps. My measurements are as follows:

Hot spot (surface): about 84 degrees F.
Middle: about 75 degrees F.
Cold side: 70-71 degrees F.
Humidity: 95%

I haven’t drilled any holes yet in the tub so the humidity just stays at 95-100%. I want to make sure these temperatures are good. Should I raise them or lower them at all? In addition, the heat lamp sits about an inch above the lid, and the area of the lid where it sits above feels very hot to the touch. Is this any danger to my snake? If so, how could I go about fixing it so it’s not so hot.

This is a picture of the enclosure. There’s no hides or decorations in there yet because I wanted to get the temps correct first:

DJC Reptiles · 11-06-17, 10:24 AM

Hello, Umbrax

84 degrees is a little too cold for a hotspot, that should be the temperature of the warm side overall, try boosting the hotspot temperature to 90°F. The hot lid shouldn't matter too much, just make sure it doesn't get hot enough to melt the lid. Humidity should be much lower 70-80% humidity is where you want to be. Make sure to provide a water dish as well. There should also be a variety of hides and plants (fake preferably to not boost the humidity inside this type of enclosure). There should be one hide over the hotspot, and one hide over the cool spot, any other hides can be placed wherever. Everything else looks okay. Just make sure to drill those ventilation holes!

Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles

DJC Reptiles · 11-06-17, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJC Reptiles

Hello, Umbrax

84 degrees is a little too cold for a hotspot, that should be the temperature of the warm side overall, try boosting the hotspot temperature to 90°F. The hot lid shouldn't matter too much, just make sure it doesn't get hot enough to melt the lid. Humidity should be much lower 70-80% humidity is where you want to be. Make sure to provide a water dish as well. There should also be a variety of hides and plants (fake preferably to not boost the humidity inside this type of enclosure). There should be one hide over the hotspot, and one hide over the cool spot, any other hides can be placed wherever. Everything else looks okay. Just make sure to drill those ventilation holes!

Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles

Sorry I miss read your statement. I thought you said Columbian red tail boa, not rainbow boa. It seems you have everything good then.

Umbrax · 11-06-17, 01:26 PM

Oh alright, thanks so much for the info I appreciate it.

DJC Reptiles · 11-06-17, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Umbrax

Oh alright, thanks so much for the info I appreciate it.

I would still recommend raising your hotspot up to 86 though, and with proper ventilation you will be good to go!

Umbrax · 11-06-17, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJC Reptiles

I would still recommend raising your hotspot up to 86 though, and with proper ventilation you will be good to go!

Ok, I’ve drilled some holes and added interior things like hides and stuff. I set my thermostat up a bit higher and the hot spot now reads about 85.7 on the surface. The humidity is still stuck at 99 though, do I need more ventilation?

DJC Reptiles · 11-06-17, 02:50 PM

I would try to get humidity down to 65-75%. So yes, drill a couple more holes, but make sure to give it time, don't worry about drilling too many, Colombians have been known to thrive with humidity as low as 50%. Just make sure to add lots of hides and plants when you are done. Just make sure you have some standing water in case your boa chooses to soak.

Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles