Dehydrated hognose. Please don't flame.

acidonangles · 10-11-15, 01:32 PM

Okay so I have realized slight wrinkling of my hognose but he's not extremely dehydrated but I was wondering what's the best way to rehydrate a hognose? He has a heat lamp with a 100 watt black bulb that makes a hot spot of about 92 and his cool side is 80. He has access to a humid hide and clean water at all times.
Should I soak him? If so how long and how often? Should I buy anything to put in the water from a pet store?

**Minkness** · 10-11-15, 01:49 PM

80 seems a bit warm for his cool side. Are you able to see what the humidity is at?

I also find that a uth is better than a heat lamp since the lamp generally dries the air out and a uth helps aid in humidity with the right set up.

Other than that it sounds like you have a fine set up.

acidonangles · 10-11-15, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

80 seems a bit warm for his cool side. Are you able to see what the humidity is at?

I also find that a uth is better than a heat lamp since the lamp generally dries the air out and a uth helps aid in humidity with the right set up.

Other than that it sounds like you have a fine set up.

The humidity is around 30% because I live in Ohio and the humidity is always higher.
I've tried a uth but it didn't raise ambient tank temperature enough and didn't really give a gradient in temperature. Although the hot spot was perfect. How high should his cool side be? I can look into a lower wattage bulb preferably a CHE.

**Minkness** · 10-11-15, 03:05 PM

The uth should only cover 1/3rd the bottom of the tank. If you use substrate such as eco earth or sanichips, they will burrow for their warmth. Otherwise, usyal room temp is actually fine for these guys.

Also, try covering the top with something to help hold humidity and heat in. I like to use rubber shelving liner. Just drape it iver the top and leave a corner open for ventilation. When I so this there is a good 5-8 degree difference from MY room temp (about 70-73) and the tank's ambiemt temp (75-78). I only use my CHE if I feel someone needs a bump in heat because otherwise it just distroys the humidity. And, if I do use it, I put it in the outside-side and let it warm the inside air that way, instead of just beating straight down on the animal.

acidonangles · 10-11-15, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

The uth should only cover 1/3rd the bottom of the tank. If you use substrate such as eco earth or sanichips, they will burrow for their warmth. Otherwise, usyal room temp is actually fine for these guys.

Also, try covering the top with something to help hold humidity and heat in. I like to use rubber shelving liner. Just drape it iver the top and leave a corner open for ventilation. When I so this there is a good 5-8 degree difference from MY room temp (about 70-73) and the tank's ambiemt temp (75-78). I only use my CHE if I feel someone needs a bump in heat because otherwise it just distroys the humidity. And, if I do use it, I put it in the outside-side and let it
warm the inside air that way, instead of just beating straight down on the animal.

So room temerature is fine for hognose? My room temerature is around 70. I use aspen but am thinking of switching too coco fiber. What should humidity be? I can never find a clear answer. I have a thermostat for the heat pad. Should I put it on the inside or between the glass and heat pad? Sorry for all the questions just want to do the best for my little guy.

**Minkness** · 10-11-15, 05:10 PM

I highly recomend sanichips. If you have a petco near you look in the reptile secion. It's labled as 'lizard litter' and usually next to the reptibark. I personally hate putting the thermometer on the glass as I feel that offers a higher reading than it actually is, though understand the dangers of possible burn should the snake lay directly on the glass. I use the temp of the actual substrate myself. 70 is a bit on the chilly side, but again, if you cover the lid, the UTH will raise the ambient temps about 5 degrees or so. I can't find a good internet base informative care sheet as so many are all over the place. My guys however do good at between 40-50%. No issues shedding, no signs of dehydration, and everyone has a healthy appitite and activity level.

acidonangles · 10-11-15, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

I highly recomend sanichips. If you have a petco near you look in the reptile secion. It's labled as 'lizard litter' and usually next to the reptibark. I personally hate putting the thermometer on the glass as I feel that offers a higher reading than it actually is, though understand the dangers of possible burn should the snake lay directly on the glass. I use the temp of the actual substrate myself. 70 is a bit on the chilly side, but again, if you cover the lid, the UTH will raise the ambient temps about 5 degrees or so. I can't find a good internet base informative care sheet as so many are all over the place. My guys however do good at between 40-50%. No issues shedding, no signs of dehydration, and everyone has a healthy appitite and activity level.

Thank you. I will look for sanichips and will start using a uth. I will also cover most of the screen top. In the mean time would you suggest 10-15 minute soaks in warm to the touch water? About every other day?

**Minkness** · 10-11-15, 06:17 PM

Not really. I would sugest putting a towel over the screen and misting once a day though.

chairman · 10-11-15, 06:20 PM

I don't believe that soaking will really help rehydrate him. His skin isn't permeable, any water that gets in him will be via his mouth (food & water), nose (breathing humid air, such as in a humid hide) and perhaps the cloaca (not all species absorb food or nutrients via the cloaca).

jjhill001 · 10-11-15, 06:20 PM

There is nothing wrong with using a heat lamp. Without knowing the size of you enclosure I'm going to assume that you have 10 gallon tank. 100 watt bulb is definitely too high.
But there are precautions that need to be taken to reduce the risk of desiccation such as very regular water changes, slightly larger water bowls and humid hides.

acidonangles · 10-11-15, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

There is nothing wrong with using a heat lamp. Without knowing the size of you enclosure I'm going to assume that you have 10 gallon tank. 100 watt bulb is definitely too high.
But there are precautions that need to be taken to reduce the risk of desiccation such as very regular water changes, slightly larger water bowls and humid hides.

I have a 20 gallon but have recently raised my heat lamp another inch or so to lower temps just a tad.

jjhill001 · 10-17-15, 10:07 PM

Just as an example, I have a leopard gecko that I have a blue bulb on that is 60 watt in a 15 gallon tank and the water dish will dry out in 2 days and its on the cool side of the tank if you let it.