Some beginners questions for a Red-Tail Boa - Page 4

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-19-16, 01:02 PM

Ok so I can't really afford those heat panels.. Sorry but it's just a bit too much right now. But I think I can work with the heat lamps, the humidity rarely goes below 60 and is often 70 all day after spraying, but wetness causes RI? idk how I mist it without it getting wet.. Anyways, I'll find a way. So I'm ready to buy the thermostat, but do I order one or three? Cause I figured I could plug an extension cord into it and make 3 more ports, or is it only designed for one? Once again guys, thank you all so much for this advise it's really helped. You sure beat the n00b outta me :P. So right now, I have 2 more thermometers on the way to measure the hot and cold in the tank (right now it's in the dead center to get an average temp). I also have some plants and stuff to make it resemble a rainforest more cause he's from Central America, which when I went down there is all forest :P. But anyways, I've gotten humidity under control, and temp is mostly under control, just kinda confused cause someone said it shouldn't be as high as 85 cause he can't thermoregulate, but then BSG said that its fine soo kinda confused. Also, some happy news about him, he popped his head out a bit last night, so at least he's thinking about coming out and exploring :P but yeah, hopefully I'm doing the best I can!

dannybgoode · 02-19-16, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

I am basing my 70-80% off the book by Vin Russo "The Complete Boa Constrictor," it is not available online to read as far as I know so you'd have to buy the book. In the book, he states that boas do best at a constant 80% humidity, but can be dropped to 60% during the winter breeding season.

Thanks BSG - I know of Vince's book but have not read it. That said I still think 70-80% is unnecessarily high for a BCI and Vince is the only person I know who suggests such levels.

When I next get paid I may invest in a copy but its pricey here in the UK.

I guess one of the issues with BCI's in particular is they are found in such a wide geographic range the conditions they live in in the wild will vary greatly. There are some BCI living in locations that will never in a million years experience humidity that high and others that probably will year round.

Each to their own though and a healthy snake is a healthy snake and there are many a healthy boa being kept at a far lower humidity than that.

**EL Ziggy** · 02-19-16, 01:24 PM

I feel you on the RHP costs. Maybe it's something you can add on later. If I were you I'd get the UTH, thermostat, and a dimmer for your red heat bulb. I think your humidity will be fine at 50-60%. The heat bulbs may lower that a bit but you can offer a humid hide or mist your enclosure from time to time. Here's a picture of my carpet pythons setup. I'm using heat maps to create my hot spot and the IR heat bulbs to boost my ambient temps a bit. I'm going to upgrade to RHP's once they outgrow this enclosure in a year or so.

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bigsnakegirl785 · 02-19-16, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeGuy376

Ok so I can't really afford those heat panels.. Sorry but it's just a bit too much right now. But I think I can work with the heat lamps, the humidity rarely goes below 60 and is often 70 all day after spraying, but wetness causes RI? idk how I mist it without it getting wet.. Anyways, I'll find a way. So I'm ready to buy the thermostat, but do I order one or three? Cause I figured I could plug an extension cord into it and make 3 more ports, or is it only designed for one? Once again guys, thank you all so much for this advise it's really helped. You sure beat the n00b outta me :P. So right now, I have 2 more thermometers on the way to measure the hot and cold in the tank (right now it's in the dead center to get an average temp). I also have some plants and stuff to make it resemble a rainforest more cause he's from Central America, which when I went down there is all forest :P. But anyways, I've gotten humidity under control, and temp is mostly under control, just kinda confused cause someone said it shouldn't be as high as 85 cause he can't thermoregulate, but then BSG said that its fine soo kinda confused. Also, some happy news about him, he popped his head out a bit last night, so at least he's thinking about coming out and exploring :P but yeah, hopefully I'm doing the best I can!

That's because, as I mentioned earlier in the thread, misting does not provide humidity, only wetness. All you're doing is throwing water into the air to settle down on stuff. Humidity is provided by evaporation, and the amount of water you'd put into the enclosure to be evaporated from simply misting, even if you sprayed until your hands cramped up, is completely negligent compared to using the bedding itself for humidity. That is why it is only a temporary thing, if you're doing what I showed in the video, you shouldn't need to spray.

Ok let me explain the temps a little better. Imagine the cage with no heat, with a base temperature of 80F, that is the ambient. Now, add a heat source on one end for a hot spot, which should only be big enough for the snake to bask, that should be 90F. The heat from that basking spot will heat up the entire end the heater is on, creating a hot end, which should be 85F. That leaves the rest of the cage at 80F for a cool end. So, ambients of 80F, hot end of 85F, and hot spot of 90F, creating a gradient from 80F to 90F from one end of the cage to another.

**EL Ziggy** · 02-19-16, 02:48 PM

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AwesomeGuy376 · 02-19-16, 03:32 PM

Ok I understand the temps, So I'm still curious a ot the thermostat, can I buy one and connect an extension cord to it so it connects to 3, or do I have to buy 3 thermostats, one for each light?

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-19-16, 05:02 PM

I just also want to thank you guys again for all this help. It's really amazing how many of you take time to help me, it really means a lot! Everything y'all have said has helped, I stopped handling him after my initial post and now he's actually out exploring! And I won't touch him till a successful feed (then after that 2 days ofc) I also got the temps about right, it's a steady 85 median with 60% humidity. I've also ordered more thermometers as I said so we will know exact temps of the cool and hot spots. I've taken BSG's advice on bedding with the humidity and helped a lot! You guys are awesome, all I'm waiting on now is info on the thermostat and I'll order it. Owning a snake I can see is a big responsibility and I'm up for the challenge, I'm gonna make sure he lives a long healthy life. and also sorry I guess for all the nooby questions, I saw another thread where I saw people get annoyed with this one guy that was worse than me when it came to questions, hopefully I'm not too bad! Thanks so much!

**Andy_G** · 02-19-16, 05:26 PM

Once your set up is right, they are the easiest pet you could ever choose to have in your life! In regards to your thermostat question, most have more than one plug fitting, but you may need to use an extension cord provided it is okay to do as per the instruction manual that comes with the thermostat. For some, this is not an option.

As far as annoyances...it's really only when people don't listen because think they know better...yet they still ask and when they don't hear what they want it's taken personally or insulting. Don't do that and you'll be good.

bigsnakegirl785 · 02-19-16, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeGuy376

I just also want to thank you guys again for all this help. It's really amazing how many of you take time to help me, it really means a lot! Everything y'all have said has helped, I stopped handling him after my initial post and now he's actually out exploring! And I won't touch him till a successful feed (then after that 2 days ofc) I also got the temps about right, it's a steady 85 median with 60% humidity. I've also ordered more thermometers as I said so we will know exact temps of the cool and hot spots. I've taken BSG's advice on bedding with the humidity and helped a lot! You guys are awesome, all I'm waiting on now is info on the thermostat and I'll order it. Owning a snake I can see is a big responsibility and I'm up for the challenge, I'm gonna make sure he lives a long healthy life. and also sorry I guess for all the nooby questions, I saw another thread where I saw people get annoyed with this one guy that was worse than me when it came to questions, hopefully I'm not too bad! Thanks so much!

As mentioned, it's usually only people who ask for advice and don't follow it, or people being rude that gets us annoyed. Most of us are not annoyed in the slightest by people genuinely wanting to learn!

dannybgoode · 02-20-16, 01:34 AM

+1to what bag has said - you've asked questions, listened, asked more questions to clarify etc.

It's clear you want to properly look after your snake so It's a pleasure to help out.

Boas are awesome snakes, imo the best non-venomous snake there is and once you've got the enclosure sorted they're such a rewarding snake to own.

Keep asking and keep learning.

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-20-16, 02:09 AM

Still really confused about the thermostat though, sorry I know its probably clear to everyone but me XD So all i do is order them, plug the lamps in, set temp, then done? Ive also read of probes melting or something on some other website? thats kinda what i got out of it. Also, will he be fine until it gets here? It could take up to 2 weeks to get here so yeah.. Also, I'd go with the one BSG said -http://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-ETL-Certified-Thermostat-Germination-Reptiles/dp/B000NZZG3S?tag=viglink21195-20

just want to make sure this is all correct before i spent $90

I think im more stressed then the snake on his first day...

dannybgoode · 02-20-16, 03:13 AM

Have a look at this post I wrote about placing the stat probe. I wrote it with a ceramic heater in mind but there's no reason it won't work with a bulb.

I'd still look to get a ceramic heat bulb at store point. Should screw straight in to your light fitting and cheaper than a heat panel. Just make sure your snake can't make contact with it.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...snake-viv.html

As for setting it up-yes it's very simple. Plug stat into wall, bulb into stat and set the temp.

I'll let someone else comment on the make and model. If you were on the UK it would be easy for me!

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-20-16, 09:32 PM

Hey guys just an update for those that care, ever since i got the temps right and listened to all of you guys, the snakes been out of his den and exploring a lot more! Hes still a bit shy around people when they come into the room, but never the less still active!

dannybgoode · 02-21-16, 01:34 AM

Good to see him out and about - looks to have a nice healthy body tone. Boas are very easy to over-feed and they end up on the chubby side but yours looks nice.

Leave him be another 5 days or so before trying to feed him again and let us know how you get on...

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-21-16, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Good to see him out and about - looks to have a nice healthy body tone. Boas are very easy to over-feed and they end up on the chubby side but yours looks nice.

Leave him be another 5 days or so before trying to feed him again and let us know how you get on...

Thanks! Yea i was pretty happy to see him exploring. Actually tonight he sat and watched me for a good 30 mins XD So cute. But yea, im gonna stick with a 15 day feeding schedule. 1st and 15th of the month, and see how it goes, its what the previous owner did and i guess he did a good job taking care of him :P. And ill definitely post when i feed him, i plan on doing it march 1st