Dumeril enclosure question!

newtosnakes · 07-19-04, 10:08 AM

We've had our dumeril for alittle over a week now. He's in a 40 gal breeder tank and my fiance uses repti bark for the bottom, he's got a decent sized water bowl in there as well as some plastic leaves that suction to the sides of the tank. He also has a wooden like house in there. He's very anal about his tanks and how they're set up. He wanted me to ask if this was sufficient or if he needs to change it in any way. The boa seem to borrow alot so we dont see him that often. He also put a backround on the tank of greens and rocks. Anything we should change or any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jessica

Big Mike · 07-19-04, 10:18 AM

Welcome to the site.

Nice snake, I love Dumerils.

The "decorations" in an enclosure are not all that important as long as they are not causing a problem.

What's important is how you are heating the enclosure, how you are controlling the heat and how you are measuring the temperature.

newtosnakes · 07-19-04, 10:25 AM

What do you suggest for lighting, what wattage? I'm not sure what he's using now but the light is on one side and then there is shade on the other side.

Will he ever come out or will he always borrow?

Thanks,
Jessica

mettle · 07-19-04, 10:59 AM

Unless it's a room that NEVER gets any natural light (such as a basement room with no windows) ambient light is usually enough for snakes. As far as I know, anyway. Never had a problem there, but I've also never kept boas.

But since you said you've only had him for a week... It could just be that you're lil' new addition is a little streesed and likes to burrow, etc. Hide as much as possible.

You also pointed out that you had a water dish, some suction plants, etc. Do you offer only the one hide or one at the hot end and one at the cold end?

And, how thick is the layer of substrate you have in the tank? And what are your temps like? Cool end? Hot end? Because what could be happening is a combo of things. The snake could feel like it needs more protection and burrows down, because the substrate is thick enough for it to do it with no problem. Also, could be that the snake needs to burrow down to keep itself warm and also get to the heat source.

I'm just taking some random stabs here and by no means am I an expert of any type. Just offering some possible solutions with the info that was provided.

newtosnakes · 07-19-04, 01:21 PM

He's in our bedroom next to the window so he gets some natural light but not much. The water bowl is on the cold side along with some plants and we have his house along with some more plants on the hot side.

I'd say the substrate is about an 1" thick. We have a temperature gauge on the hot side so we can tell how hot it gets so I'll have to check!

Thanks for the suggestions!

gbrys122 · 07-21-04, 05:28 PM

I have 2 dumerils 1.1.0 and to tell you the truth they will hide all day,they don't bask in the light.Their more active at night,which if a feeding problem arises might be a good time to offer.My 2 yr. old female is active all hours though.She will poke her head out everytime I come into the room,and often will start waving her tale in the air like a lure.Cool to see.My 8 yr.old male doesn't react to me being around at all but is active at night.Good luck with your dumeril,their a great snake.