What's going on in my tank?!

ilovemysnake · 12-07-13, 12:29 AM

HI GUYS!

I've done some research, everything seems to contradict itself though.

A couple weeks ago, I rescued a baby black rat snake from someone who was going to dump him on the side of the road. Being the fact that he was an unexpected addition to my rescue zoo of a home, I wasnt completely prepared. All I had for him was a 5.5 gallon tank, he seemed content with it. I went out, got the things he needed, and now hes happy.

Well, just the other day I bought a luestic Texas rat snake, and i got a 20 gallon. They're both in it now. (I know what I'm doing with cohabing, don't worry!)

My main concern is about the temps.

in the 5.5 gallon, the hot side would stay at 90. Now, It sometimes raises up to 100 in the 20 gallon. How does this happen? And what can I do? right now, i have to turn the it off, until the temp drops and then turn it back on.

also, how do i prevent the cool side from being too cool? earlier it was 60. now its staying at 80.

And do i really have to drop the temps at night? is it personal prefrence? If i do, how would i go about

P.s. Does anyone else's snakes like to be in the little ridge right under the lid? my garter never did it.

Any advice would be appreciated!

sharthun · 12-07-13, 12:43 AM

Hey and welcome! What are you using to heat the tank? You need a thermostat to control your heat source to desired temperature. A good digital or laser temp gun is needed to monitor temps on hot and cool sides. A good inexpensive brand thermostat is a hydrofarm available at Amazon for 32 bucks. A more expensive but more accurate thermostat google herpstat.

Steve

ilovemysnake · 12-07-13, 12:52 AM

im using a heating bulb, and i have the thermometer in there. how does the thermostat work?

sharthun · 12-07-13, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

im using a heating bulb, and i have the thermometer in there. how does the thermostat work?

Edit: forgot link to hydrofarm thermostat.

Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden

You would, plug in your case, the heat lamp into the thermostat which plugs in to any wall plug. A digital thermostat has a probe that reads the temperature and by setting the temperature on the thermostat , it will maintain that temperature within a few degrees +/- of your desired temperature. So you can basically it's a set and forget type thing. An under tank heater is a better option than a heat lamp.

Hope this helps a little. I'm sure others will add something I'm forgetting.

Steve

ilovemysnake · 12-07-13, 01:06 AM

Thank you so much! I'll probably get all that come Christmas.

sharthun · 12-07-13, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

Thank you so much! I'll probably get all that come Christmas.

Np. I added the link to the hydrofarms thermostat in my previous post.

ilovemysnake · 12-07-13, 01:16 AM

Thanks!

KORBIN5895 · 12-07-13, 01:25 AM

I am having a hard time that you understand something as risky and complicated as cohabbitation but you don't have one sweet clue about how to provide proper temps and how to do it safely.

LadyWraith · 12-07-13, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

I am having a hard time that you understand something as risky and complicated as cohabbitation but you don't have one sweet clue about how to provide proper temps and how to do it safely.

Words out if my mouth.

ilovemysnake · 12-07-13, 01:46 AM

I had snakes when i was younger. and they were kept in the same enclosure. I had the exact same set up as i did when i was younger. I just don't know why it's not staying at the temperature it was before. i never had problems like this before with my corns and garters.

ilovemysnake · 12-07-13, 01:50 AM

Also, I've talked to many people before deciding on cohabing. they all said theyll be fine since theyre the same size, and as long as you seperate when feeding.

It's only dangerous if your an idiot.

Starbuck · 12-07-13, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

Also, I've talked to many people before deciding on cohabing. they all said theyll be fine since theyre the same size, and as long as you seperate when feeding.

It's only dangerous if your an idiot.

not true. it IS dangerous, period. The snake can't tell you when one is being bullied out of hides or temperature gradients, or if they are starting to get hungry and the other is looking like a nice snack.

LeuCistic.

Mikoh4792 · 12-07-13, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

Also, I've talked to many people before deciding on cohabing. they all said theyll be fine since theyre the same size, and as long as you seperate when feeding.

It's only dangerous if your an idiot.

I'd disagree. You don't need to be an idiot.

Go out to work, school or anything for several hours and anything can happen when snakes are left unsupervised. There are many cases of snakes that are not thought be ophiophagus that still eat each other. It's not just a worry of cannibalism. Cohabbing can result in competition, fighting and stress.

And as the others have mentioned, a thermostat is an absolute must.

Hannibalcanibal · 12-07-13, 08:00 AM

Yeah, i'd not cohab them. I'd just get another enclosure/tub, and then make sure that the temps are where they need to be.

Attached is a pic of a corn eating another corn. (corns are not usually known to be ophiophagus).

kwhitlock · 12-07-13, 08:06 AM

^ This.

Even though it would be "cool" to have 2 snakes together cohabbing, it isnt worth it. To many things to worry about. Especially with the chance of one snake eating another..