New with questions!

Zombie-girl2009 · 12-27-12, 08:52 PM

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and snake keeping, and recently rescued a ball python as my first snake. I have a few questions that I hope I can get answered. She is about 3 feet long and in a 36x12x18 wooden Viv with a radiant heat panel and a thermostat, but I'm having quite a bit of trouble keeping the temp up. The thermostat is set at 90 and the rhp stays on constantly because the temp never gets that high. Also, the humidity is currently sitting on 91% (I just misted the Viv. It doesn't stay that high.), but she is not shedding well. At all. I called the boy that gave her to me (he couldn't afford to feed her any more), and he said that in the four years he had her she NEVER shed in all one piece. Isn't that extremely bad?!? I thought they were supposed to shed all their skin in one big piece every time if they were healthy. She doesn't have mites, and as I said the humidity is high and never drops below 50%. I had a lady who owns a python breeding company where I live offer to trade me a corn snake for her. I really love her tho. I don't know what to do. :/ She eats pretty well. takes a medium f/t Medium rat every 14 days or so, but I'm starting to think that if I can't keep her healthy and comfortable as far as temperature and shedding go, that a corn snake might be a better choice because they aren't as picky when it comes to temp and humidity. Thanks for any advice and please go easy on me if I've made any mistakes. I did do a lot of research before I got her. She was originally in a 20 gallon long glass aquarium while I built the wooden Viv, and I covered most of the screen top during that time with plastic to keep the humidity and temperature up, but ever since I moved her into the new Viv, the radiant heat panel just isn't cutting it, and I can't put a light in it. Please help.

dinosaurdammit · 12-27-12, 09:46 PM

I would bump up her humidity to 70% plus. 50% seems a bit low but I dont have a BP so I dont know their humidity requirements. For more heat maybe an under the tank heating pad?

Zombie-girl2009 · 12-27-12, 10:13 PM

Can I put an undertank heater in a wooden Viv? It says on the label not to use with anything but glass. Would there be a risk of electrocution or other injury if I put the heat pad in the Viv?

dinosaurdammit · 12-27-12, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie-girl2009

Can I put an undertank heater in a wooden Viv? It says on the label not to use with anything but glass. Would there be a risk of electrocution or other injury if I put the heat pad in the Viv?

Honestly I have no clue. I dont think it should go in the viv because it can get hot hot hot. Have you thought about heat wire? Ive seen it but dont know the validity of the product, i have been giving it thought to use it though.

Zoo Med Repti Heat Cable at PETCO

I dont know how safe heat cables are, id love to hear input from others on this.

Zombie-girl2009 · 12-27-12, 11:35 PM

I hadn't thought of that. I would definitely use a thermostat with the heat pad tho.

DeesBalls · 12-28-12, 02:29 AM

you can put them in a wooden viv.. i have flexwatt heat tape (basically the same thing) and i have it sealed underneath plexi glass, so no water can get on the heat tape, and i have it made so the electrical wiring is out side the tank. I have them all hooked up to a thermostat and the flex watt is always on set at 93/94, since it will loose a degree or 2 from being under the plexi glass, and aspen bedding... some will say this is horrible, but before i put the snake in each one, i literally dumped water all over plexi glass, and tried everything i could think of. been going strong for close to a year now. i would say, NOT to put it in the viv unless it was sealed within a "case" in the cage...

i would be more than happy to show some pics to you to help out..

Lankyrob · 12-28-12, 02:51 AM

I cant unserstand why the RHP womt give the right temps, how well sealed is the viv? Can you provide pics? What temp gradient ARE you getting? (hot end temp and cold end temp) what substrate are you using and what "furiniture" isinthe viv?

In terms of humidity and shedding, yes they should shed all in one piece but if the poor thing has been kept in poor conditions then it may take a couple of sheds in proper comditions to get back on form. Never let the humidity drop below 55-60 and when you notice the snake go "blue" bump itup to minimum of 65.

jarich · 12-28-12, 10:20 AM

Rob is right, your RHP should be enough to heat your viv. It sounds like perhaps you have the probe from the thermostat in the wrong place. Where is it placed in relation to the RHP now? Can you take a picture and show us your viv?

bcoop1234 · 12-28-12, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie-girl2009

Can I put an undertank heater in a wooden Viv? It says on the label not to use with anything but glass. Would there be a risk of electrocution or other injury if I put the heat pad in the Viv?

I have these in all my custom build melamine cages... They work great.

IntelliTemp Reptile Heat Mats for Less

Zombie-girl2009 · 12-28-12, 03:28 PM

Ok guys, I tried to post earlier and it wouldn't let me. Said I had too many links. I went and bought some heat cable from petco. I decided to try it because it is waterproof, says it can be used inside the Viv and was only $15. Good news is, the temp is up to 96!!!

) however, now that the temp is up, the humidity has dropped. Sigh. I guess I'll just have to spray the Viv like 6 times a day.

Lankyrob · 12-28-12, 04:24 PM

A sealed wooden viv should not need spraying that often, my GTP is sprayed up to 90% humidity and it takes three orfour DAYS to "dry" down to 55-60%

Zombie-girl2009 · 12-28-12, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

A sealed wooden viv should not need spraying that often, my GTP is sprayed up to 90% humidity and it takes three orfour DAYS to "dry" down to 55-60%

How can I go about sealing it better?

Gungirl · 12-28-12, 08:17 PM

What wattage is the RHP? If the Rhp is to low wattage it won't be able to maintain heat in the viv.

dinosaurdammit · 12-28-12, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie-girl2009

How can I go about sealing it better?

Clear non toxic aquarium silicone you can get at any hardware store to seal cracks and other spaces.

Zombie-girl2009 · 12-28-12, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinosaurdammit

Clear non toxic aquarium silicone you can get at any hardware store to seal cracks and other spaces.

I did that, but I'll get some more and try to do it again.