Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

What is the general consensus in lighting in a cornsnake environment? I've read where it is not necessary, and at the same time may be beneficial??

My plan was to use a compact flourescent bulb so as to not add any additional heat in the tank, and I was going to have it connected to a timer to turn on at 8am and off at 8pm.

Yes? No?

Thanks.

In my opinion lighting is not needed on cornsnakes.. If you would like to keep a light on the enclosure and turn it on when you are home or want to view the snake that is fine.. Although, You should have a under tank heat pad in the colder months..

~ Mike Russo

Yes, I have an UTH and a ceramic element above the tank, regulated by a thermostat. Actually, that's why my intenet is to use a compact flouresent bulb: I don't want to add any additional heat from a light source.

What I don't understand is why some info sources say that you don't need lighting, whereas others say that snakes seem to do better with a light source that simulates day and night conditions.

I've done quite a bit of reading on this, and as always seems to be the case in this hobby, have found the rate of conflict between opinions to be 50/50. This indicates to me that no one really knows for sure. My concern is that I won't be doing any harm by adding a cool (ie: no heat) light source.

Thanks

Well I will just add that U.V. lighting is not really beneficial to corn snakes since they are most active in the twilight hours. BUT having a light is in fact beneficial in cycling your snakes. Not only for brumation but also regular day and night cycles. If your snake does not have a definate day and night cycle it can become very stressed. Of course as long as the room they are in has a window they will be fine. Add or remove lighting at your discretion.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"

One thing to keep in mind is that albinos of many animals are sensitive to light. This would include amel and snow corns. In most cases if the cage is in a room with a window, it's all the snake needs.

Life cycles can be beneficial even when not breeding snakes. It adds some variation to the reptile's day, which is more natural than a constant 12 hours on/12 hours off cycle.

Tim

Third Eye

OK previously mentioned it is needed for cycling, and totally agree with Tim, that amels and others would be more sensitive than a normal/earthtone/classic/wc corn.

OK, I've seen garters bask, and water snakes. Mainly for heat, but UVA is "suppose" to stimulate appetite in herps in "general". So, that "MIGHT" be a benefit. But, how long does a snake bask, even if it does? Not long, so to me it is very hard to duplicate the idea of how the snake uses their basking time in a captive situation.

If you turned a light on and off for 15 minutes it may not be when he wants it.

So, although most of my stuff is in tubs for my convenience, I think the most "happy" snakes in captivity, are probably ones in large aquariums, with hide boxes, or deep bedding. Where they can come out and be in light when they want.

Much like a turtle in a tank, how can you really duplicate all the facets of how a snake lives?

IMO room light is better than sticking a bright light over the tank.

Just my opinion.
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People with half the sense to do things right, do things wrong 50% of the time. {Me!}

Thanks
Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com