Boa+cold climate.. Help!

Keira · 01-10-16, 04:27 PM

OK so long story short I have a red tail boa, currently living in Florida but moving to Illinois. How should I set up her tank for optimal conditions to keep her healthy and happy? She's about 3 feet now.
Any ideas or suggestions would be awesome thank u!

**lady_bug87** · 01-11-16, 04:41 PM

RHP, or pad set on a thermostat will definitely do the trick.

Sasha2 · 01-11-16, 05:08 PM

I used to insulate the back, bottom and sides with either reflectix or thick cardboard or you could get some insulating foamboard. I keep mine it tubs now, just easier to control temps.
Also part of the lid should be covered to keep in humidity.

reptiledude987 · 01-11-16, 05:20 PM

Im in canada and using typical heat sources like lights heat pads and heat pannels with tstats its not difficult to maintain temps. It will just take a little time to set up the tstat do dial in proper temps but theres a number of devices that can be used. None are right or wrong as long as your temps end up in the proper range.

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-11-16, 11:23 PM

I have a snake room that I heat to maintain temps.

I'd definitely advise heating sources like CHEs or RHPs. You will still need to maintain a minimum room temp of at least 70-75F, but you shouldn't have to keep it as warm as if you had everyone on flexwatt/UTH.

havoc_vulture · 01-11-16, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

I have a snake room that I heat to maintain temps.

I'd definitely advise heating sources like CHEs or RHPs. You will still need to maintain a minimum room temp of at least 70-75F, but you shouldn't have to keep it as warm as if you had everyone on flexwatt/UTH.

+1
The ceramic heat emitter has really helped me with my retic and sulcata tortise

Keira · 01-12-16, 12:25 AM

Thanks for all the tips! I have a small electric heater if I were to set that up near her tank along with either the heat tape or an UTH would this be good? Or maybe cause problems? I'm having trouble keeping her tank warm now even with an UTH and modified lid to keep humidity in.

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-12-16, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keira

Thanks for all the tips! I have a small electric heater if I were to set that up near her tank along with either the heat tape or an UTH would this be good? Or maybe cause problems? I'm having trouble keeping her tank warm now even with an UTH and modified lid to keep humidity in.

You don't have to set it up near her, just in the same room. If the heater is too close her tank could easily become too hot. If it's faced away if should be fine, maybe. I'd keep the heater at least 4' away from the tank if it's not faced in the opposite direction.

dannybgoode · 01-12-16, 02:53 AM

I would use some form of rhp or che. Heat mats aren't so useful with the big snakes as they cannot heat all the muscle mass and can cause problems with digestion etc-the bottom third of the snake tends to be heated but not the rest.

I have a 48*18" viv + a 150W Che with an oversized metal guard round it because che's kick out a lot of heat. Keeps the hot spot at 91f, the warm end at 82-85 and the cool end at 73.

DO NOT place the thermostat probe at substrate level. If your snake decides to sleep on it or something gets moved over it then the thermostat my incorrectly read a cooler temperature and turn up the heat to potentially dangerous levels.

My stat allows different temps throughout the day which I like as it mimics nature better. It's the microclimate evo which I don't know if you get your side of the pond but you can get similar. In any event DO NOT use an rhp or che without a stat. Ever.

I stick mine to the back of the tank about 1/3 along the length and 8" from the substrate and use a temperature gun to measure the temp of the hot spot. Requires a bit of fiddling to get it at up right but works well.

I live in Sheffield, England and winters can be cold and this setup is proving to be good. Snake feeding well and sheds without issues...

Keira · 01-12-16, 07:35 AM

Thanks snakgirl and Danny. I'll look into the CHE... Just gotta wait for the move lol for now she has the uth and the room heater and when I move her tank is getting an up grade.. preferably a custom build Idk yet lol oh has any one ever had issues with the front sliding doors on an enclosure.. I've heard it's a bad idea for larger snakes.. thoughts?

dannybgoode · 01-12-16, 08:01 AM

Front sliders are fine if you put a lock on them. It's not unknown for snakes to slide open a door.

That said you'd want a lock on a top hinged door as a large snake could push that open also.

Keira · 01-12-16, 10:58 AM

I was thinking the same... Thankfully she hasn't really tried to push on her lid yet but just in case I bought the meal clamp things for her lol

Keira · 01-12-16, 11:04 AM

Figure I would try to post a pic let's hope they come through lol

dannybgoode · 01-12-16, 11:15 AM

Nice snake. Love boas she's a peach...

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-12-16, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keira

Thanks snakgirl and Danny. I'll look into the CHE... Just gotta wait for the move lol for now she has the uth and the room heater and when I move her tank is getting an up grade.. preferably a custom build Idk yet lol oh has any one ever had issues with the front sliding doors on an enclosure.. I've heard it's a bad idea for larger snakes.. thoughts?

I would not advise using anything other than sliding glass doors. It's way safer, and you can have more control over your contact with the snake. It's especially useful for feeding time, which is the most dangerous time to be around a large snake, as you can open one side and stay off to the other side. Then when they strike you aren't in their grab zone.