Amazon tree boa heating help please

TobyToiser · 03-23-18, 01:34 PM

Hi guys, so after a long research and thinking I'm getting Amazon tree boa

I'll post pics tomorrow or sundaly. I want to ask fór ideál source of heat, as in my apartmány Is only 19.5 Celsius during Winter, I know Its Getting Warmer, but I Guess good one month yet, it'll not grow rapidly. I have led bulb which Is only 12w, but thé keeper told me He Is using that one, than I bought yet a 40 W and with this I'm warried it could be too hot, could You get me some tips on heating? From what Iv heard UVB Is not nessesary, but again just for čase, I have EXO Terra 150 desert I Guess Its thé full name. Could You give me a solution please? Aswell Id ask fór some tips of how to care properly of this snake. I'll be greatfull for any info. Iv ordered book on bookdepository, but Its still not in yet. Another important thing Is a substrate, which Is ideal please?

TRD · 03-23-18, 01:43 PM

CHE for ambient heat, as 19C is too cold, and light (halogen/incandescent) for basking, both on thermostat. Is vivarium is big enough, may not require a thermostat on the light when wattage is picked wisely... but a CHE will get way too hot, and requires control.

Ps. plenty of evidence snakes need UV... ATB can see UV spectrum, and good for its health, may wish to consider that.

TobyToiser · 03-23-18, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRD

CHE for ambient heat, as 19C is too cold, and light (halogen/incandescent) for basking, both on thermostat. Is vivarium is big enough, may not require a thermostat on the light when wattage is picked wisely... but a CHE will get way too hot, and requires control.

Ps. plenty of evidence snakes need UV... ATB can see UV spectrum, and good for its health, may wish to consider that.

Thank You, I'm going on expo on sunday, I'm excited, but still not 100% sure wether to pick Amazon, as Its my first Snake, other option would be ball Python which Is probably little bit more newcomer friendly. Thanx alot for Your tips

TobyToiser · 03-23-18, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRD

CHE for ambient heat, as 19C is too cold, and light (halogen/incandescent) for basking, both on thermostat. Is vivarium is big enough, may not require a thermostat on the light when wattage is picked wisely... but a CHE will get way too hot, and requires control.

Ps. plenty of evidence snakes need UV... ATB can see UV spectrum, and good for its health, may wish to consider that.

Don't know what CHE means please, If possible could You post few links on various products, which I May consider? Also what temperature of heat should I set on thermostat, could I connect thé 40W bulb straight on thermostat and set lets say 27 degrees? Is it possible do it this way?
Thank You in advance

TRD · 03-23-18, 02:59 PM

Ceramic Heat Element, like so;

But these things get very hot and need to be well guarded and on a thermostat or they'll literally fry your snake.

Safer options are there too, like a Radiant Heat Panel. Doesn't get so hot, but I rarely if ever see them in Europe. Reptile expo's are quite notorious here to not sell RHPs nor Thermostats. Best to get from Amazon, like a HabiStat dimmer/pulse thermostat (dimmer is for lights, pulse is for Heat mats or Ceramics. Dimmer can also be used for Ceramics, but not for Heat mats).

All those heat sources, Ceramics, Heat mats, Radiant Heat Panels, are good for background heat. But not ideal for basking. For that traditional light sources (incandescent light, halogen light) are much better because they give out wavelengths also available in sunshine.

TobyToiser · 03-23-18, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRD

CHE for ambient heat, as 19C is too cold, and light (halogen/incandescent) for basking, both on thermostat. Is vivarium is big enough, may not require a thermostat on the light when wattage is picked wisely... but a CHE will get way too hot, and requires control.

Ps. plenty of evidence snakes need UV... ATB can see UV spectrum, and good for its health, may wish to consider that.

Excuse me for bothering yet, what Is thé ideal substrate for Amazon tree boa? Seems my family leans bit towards him than Python

so I want to be fully prepared. Aswell thé temperature Is my big issue, what degrees should I set on heating spot? Thé oposite Area Is made for Snake to cool down

TRD · 03-23-18, 03:54 PM

While ATB looks all neat in pictures, it's a bit of a boring snake... also, not really a "family snake" that you can take out often, or which is generally well tempered. Something to keep in mind..

Temps on cool side around 23-24C, and warm side around 29C. A hot spot that can reach around 33-35C (surface temperature, not ambient, as measured with a contactless thermometer). No heating at night in a typical household required.

Humidity can be around 40-50%, but needs a daily misting so that it goes up to 80%. Sometimes these snakes do not use water bowls, so they would need to be offered water through a squeeze bottle.

Substrate should be something that holds humidity well, not paper, aspen, or the like. Better use something around coco + topsoil (without fertilizer) mix, cypress mulch, etc.

Overall not the best starter snake. Family snakes usually include a king, corn, milk, or ball python, as they are better to handle and much more forgiving to mistakes. So it's a bit of what you want...