California Kingsnake

[DJC Reptiles]

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

You've made a number of bold claims in an authorative tone on a number of subjects some of which are incorrect and some unsubstantiated and a matter of opinion not fact.

I feel as I provide good information for owners who are curious on how to properly take care of their animals. I do not pull these tips out of thin air. These are statements, and answers to questions that haved worked tremendously well with my animals for years. I am sorry if you find my tone authoritative, but I feel I should do everything I can to help anyone I can. I do not say anything that I haven't first, tried out myself, or second, I know will not work. Any one is free to argue with me, but I have found some of your comments to be rude and unfair. I do not wish this to escalate further, and as such, I wish to not receive anymore negative comments from you. If you have any serious questions, or challenges I will be happy to answer them.

[dannybgoode]

Light emitting red light sources can be detected by most snakes with our without heat pits. To suggest someone is OK using red light is an issue for a good majority of species.

[DJC Reptiles]

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

So you have no evidence to back up your claim regarding Cali kings then...

Please refer to my response on the last page,

Thank you,
-DJC Reptiles

[dannybgoode]

Not good enough I'm afraid. If you make claims and ascertations in such a manner as to state them as fact prepared to be challenged to back them up.

[DJC Reptiles]

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Not good enough I'm afraid. If you make claims and ascertations in such a manner as to state them as fact prepared to be challenged to back them up.

Please refer to the last response on the first page, where I provided my sources and information on California kingsnakes. This will be my last response to this argument.

[EL Ziggy]

My question is if a snake is eating, shedding, pooping and growing without any known issues how can we know definitively if the light bothers them? I ask because I've used red heat bulbs for a few years with a couple of different snake species and they all seem to be thriving. I am planning on using RHPs with my new enclosures but are the red heat bulbs harmful in the interim? I have CHEs as backups but I like the IR bulbs because they help with night viewing and I was under the impression that they were harmless. I'll admit I'm a little confused on this one.

[DJC Reptiles]

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

My question is if a snake is eating, shedding, pooping and growing without any known issues how can we know definitively if the light bothers them? I ask because I've used red heat bulbs for a few years with a couple of different snake species and they all seem to be thriving. I am planning on using RHPs with my new enclosures but are the red heat bulbs harmful in the interim? I have CHEs as backups but I like the IR bulbs because they help with night viewing and I was under the impression that they were harmless. I'll admit I'm a little confused on this one.

Your absolutely right. If a snake is healthy, and doing everything they are supposed to, that is all that matters in the end. I have used infrared bulbs in my cornsnake's enclosure without any problems, and I highly suggest them as they seem to last longer, and provide better heat for my snake. It seems you have everything covered, as long as you continue to monitor temps, and your snake is doing everything it's supposed to, there is no need to change anything. If the light bothered them, they would show it, they would be extremely fussy about everything.

Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles

[TRD]

A red light =/= an infrared light. A red light bulb still emits visible red light, snakes and humans can perfectly see that. The red colored and branded "Infra red" aren't infra red lights at all. They are just painted red most of the times, but are just the same technology as any other incandescent light. All incandescent lights emit about 95-75% of their energy in infra red wavelengths, regardless of color of the light.

[TRD]

As for the Cali king, if your hot side is about 85F (ambient temp, surface temp can be much higher (95-100F) without issues) and your cold side doesn't go below 75 F during daytime, and without lights the ambient doesn't drop below 70 F at night, you don't need any night time heating. I would argue that night time can be dropping to lower temps, given their natural habitat. So basically there's no need to heat at night whatsoever when ample heating is provided during the day. Just provide a normal (not colored) heat light.

I already stated that blue, red, whatever color incandescent light source is the same thing, a color coating may change it's visual spectrum towards warmer or colder colors, but it doesn't change it's emittance in the IR spectrum (coating doesn't block IR wavelengths). The only true IR only emitting sources used for reptiles are UTH, RHP, CHE, Heat Tape, Arcadia Deep Heat Projector, out of which the latter is by far the best heat source after incandescent/halogen lighting. Reptiles can see blue and red colored light, it's not a good night time heat source.

They need about 50-60% humidity, which is quite typical for most households, though i would only worry about that if the snake has issues with shedding or when it's exceptionally dry in your house (~20%).

Provide drinking water always, feed once a week. Snake will do just fine.

[DJC Reptiles]

Originally Posted by TRD

A red light =/= an infrared light. A red light bulb still emits visible red light, snakes and humans can perfectly see that. The red colored and branded "Infra red" aren't infra red lights at all. They are just painted red most of the times, but are just the same technology as any other incandescent light. All incandescent lights emit about 95-75% of their energy in infra red wavelengths, regardless of color of the light.

Yes, but I was referring to a pure infrared bulb, such as a ceramic heater. Not the red light bulb that is used. This is probably confusing for anyone reading through what happened. What I meant is, these snakes can not detect pure infrared light. You are correct however, these snakes certainly can see red light. I understand how my post was a bit confusing, and I apologize for any inconvenience.

[TRD]

I see, I think people get too easily confused with what IR radiation exactly is, certainly because of marketing people putting stuff like this on the market:



That's about as misleading as it gets... and many people provide that with the understanding that that is an infrared light and reptiles can't see it. Reptiles have far better vision than most people give them credit for (much better than a cat for example, also during night)

This is also why I think danny got confused as the discussion was about red light bulbs, and you talk about CHEs, but it isn't clarified anywhere. Danny's point is that red light can be seen by reptiles and shouldn't be used as night time heat source. He has seen it as well more than once that people use blue and red light at night, thinking it's OK... it's not OK and messes with the animals circadian rhythm.

[DJC Reptiles]

You're absolutely right, I feel it is terrible that companies will trick unknowning customers into buying things with misleading names. It was certainly confusing enough for me starting out, and I understand I should have been more clear in what I was trying to say.

[Moneek]

Ok so now I'm very confused so don't use my red lightbulb at night?? It gives me perfect temps ..I was told use it 10pm-10am..

[TRD]

What is the temp of your room at night? If that doesn't drop below 70 F you don't need any heating at night for a Cali king.

[DJC Reptiles]

If it does drop below 70°F try to use a ceramic heat emitter which only produces infrared heat. Sorry for the confusion.

Hope this helps!
-DJC Reptiles