First blood~

[marvelfreak]

Yeah you can use a UTH with the shoe box size plastic tub but I would wait till you get the new uth and thermostat. Just to be safe.

[LadyWraith]

Originally Posted by Amyfhist

If I were to move her to say a shoe box sized plastic tub, would I still use a UTH for warmth? I am just worried that the plastic would get hot and melt, or release fumes into the container.

Yes, you can still use the UTH. 90 degrees is not hot enough to come close to melting the plastic. However, I would also wait until you have it hooked up to a thermostat. You will find a tub much easier to maintain humidity. It's worth the switch, IMO.

[formica]

105F is not a massively high temperature for a heat mat, that is the kind of temperature I would expect to see without a thermostat, and that is why I always recommend a thermostat - perhaps there are brands which are lower power, or lower efficiency, but its really not worth the risk

[marvelfreak]

Originally Posted by formica

105F is not a massively high temperature for a heat mat, that is the kind of temperature I would expect to see without a thermostat, and that is why I always recommend a thermostat - perhaps there are brands which are lower power, or lower efficiency, but its really not worth the risk

The kind i use will not go above 95 degrees with out a thermostat. Plus with Bloods you have to be extra care of temperature spikes and drops. Baby Bloods can be super touchy. I learn that the hard way years ago. My first three Bloods didn't live pass 3 months. Until they hit around 6 months to a year you want to have everything perfect. As they get older they become a little more tolerable of mistakes.

[formica]

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

The kind i use will not go above 95 degrees with out a thermostat. Plus with Bloods you have to be extra care of temperature spikes and drops. Baby Bloods can be super touchy. I learn that the hard way years ago. My first three Bloods didn't live pass 3 months. Until they hit around 6 months to a year you want to have everything perfect. As they get older they become a little more tolerable of mistakes.

which brand do you use? I've not found a UK brand which does not require a thermostat to stay within a safe temperature range - although I understand that heat tape has less heat output per W input (we dont have heat tape here in the UK so i dont know how true that actually it)

[Amyfhist]

MarvelFreak, you seem to be pretty experienced with keeping these as babies, so could you give me a rough idea of how I should do the set up for her?

Most of the information I have come across has been geared at a more mature snake, and not so much having a baby. What would you say the honey spot is for temperature and humidity when they are this young?

Also, how can I know that she is in shed? I am not seeing any of the signs I have with other snakes, and I am not too sure that the vendor was right when he said she was in shed.



Also I ordered the thermostat, but it probably wont be here until Wednesday or Thursday since the post office and a lot of businesses are closed for the holiday.

[marvelfreak]

Originally Posted by formica

which brand do you use? I've not found a UK brand which does not require a thermostat to stay within a safe temperature range - although I understand that heat tape has less heat output per W input (we dont have heat tape here in the UK so i dont know how true that actually it)

Ultratherm Undertank Heater (UTH)- 11"x23" - Reptile Basics Inc

I have used this for a few years and can honestly that i have never had them get above 95 degrees without a thermostat hooked up to them.

Originally Posted by Amyfhist

MarvelFreak, you seem to be pretty experienced with keeping these as babies, so could you give me a rough idea of how I should do the set up for her?

Most of the information I have come across has been geared at a more mature snake, and not so much having a baby. What would you say the honey spot is for temperature and humidity when they are this young?

Also, how can I know that she is in shed? I am not seeing any of the signs I have with other snakes, and I am not too sure that the vendor was right when he said she was in shed.



Also I ordered the thermostat, but it probably wont be here until Wednesday or Thursday since the post office and a lot of businesses are closed for the holiday.

The break down of how i do cages for baby bloods. Note it wasn't till i was told to keep them in totes that i finally had one make it past the three month mark. That would be my big fat four year old Borneo.

Things you need.

1. Plastic tote or tub with locking lid.
2. At least 3 hides. hot end, middle and cool end. This way you give them plenty of secure hiding spots. So they can feel secure and regulate their body temperature.
3. A water bowl big enough that they can soak. This needs to be place towards the heat to help keep up the humidity. Plus being they like to soak so much having it by the heat will keep the water temp up so they aren't soaking to cold of water.
4. Coverage either news paper or i use Reptile Bark deep enough they can cover at least half they body. I found they like to be able to watch everything but feel like they are hiding from you.


Your temps should be hot side between 90 to 95 and cool side 80 to 85. Humidity between 65 to 85. I always would mist in the morning to raise it then let it slowly drop some through out the day. For shedding look at the belly it will look pinkish but clear up right before shed. Also until it settles in don't handle much for the first month Bloods stress super easy.

[Amyfhist]

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

Ultratherm Undertank Heater (UTH)- 11"x23" - Reptile Basics Inc

I have used this for a few years and can honestly that i have never had them get above 95 degrees without a thermostat hooked up to them.





The break down of how i do cages for baby bloods. Note it wasn't till i was told to keep them in totes that i finally had one make it past the three month mark. That would be my big fat four year old Borneo.

Things you need.

1. Plastic tote or tub with locking lid.
2. At least 3 hides. hot end, middle and cool end. This way you give them plenty of secure hiding spots. So they can feel secure and regulate their body temperature.
3. A water bowl big enough that they can soak. This needs to be place towards the heat to help keep up the humidity. Plus being they like to soak so much having it by the heat will keep the water temp up so they aren't soaking to cold of water.
4. Coverage either news paper or i use Reptile Bark deep enough they can cover at least half they body. I found they like to be able to watch everything but feel like they are hiding from you.


Your temps should be hot side between 90 to 95 and cool side 80 to 85. Humidity between 65 to 85. I always would mist in the morning to raise it then let it slowly drop some through out the day. For shedding look at the belly it will look pinkish but clear up right before shed. Also until it settles in don't handle much for the first month Bloods stress super easy.

Okay so the Thermostat came in the mail and I just set up the shoe box sized tote for her. None of the items from her cage really fit in there, so we are just kind of improvising for her at the moment (small round lid for water, etc.)

She wasnt too happy being relocated yet again and struck out at me when she was being moved to the tote, but this will be the last time for awhile that she is disturbed (with the exception of feeding), so she should be able to settle in.


Thank you, for walking me through the setup.

[marvelfreak]

No problem. If you have any other questions just ask.

[formica]

ordered an ultratherm, intrigued by their claims of not needing a thermostat (although i did note a disclaimer at the bottom saying that they may need a thermostat LOL - but 95F is reasonable for a start)

[MizCandice]

She looks great! Congrats!
If you had to move hre to a plastic enclosure shed still need the warmth but you want to cover the plastic with aluminum tape first to make sure it doesnt melt, or so I was informed when exploring my options prior to getting my rack.

[marvelfreak]

Originally Posted by MizCandice

She looks great! Congrats!
If you had to move hre to a plastic enclosure shed still need the warmth but you want to cover the plastic with aluminum tape first to make sure it doesnt melt, or so I was informed when exploring my options prior to getting my rack.

I have never heard of that or ever done it. And i have yet to a problem with it in over 10 years of using totes. Plus i never us any kind of tape in my snake room.

[robertjnovak59]

Am I the only one that thinks everyone's first blood should be named Rambo?

[marvelfreak]

Originally Posted by robertjnovak59

Am I the only one that thinks everyone's first blood should be named Rambo?

LOL i have never even thought about that before. My first Blood was named Big Bertha.

[Sublimeballs]

Originally Posted by formica

if she is 2 months old, i very much doubt this is her first shed, I would imagine its her 2nd or 3rd at least, including her first which would have occurred within days of hatching

No that sounds right. Bloods don't shed for the first time as quick as other snakes; it can take up to 3 months. Unlike other babies there's no waiting til they've shed to feed them their first meal.