Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok well if i only put a heat pad in there she would be too cold on the cold side it doesnt bring me cool side temps at all right now i coveed the top half way again now its 78 cool side 95 hot side is thta ok but im sacred the cool side will drop again?
thaks
Mke

Hi, I think you're dealing with a couple of problems here.
It sounds like you have your Boa in an aquarium, with a screen top and some type of lamp, and possibly in a room that's too cold.
I feel that glass cages will not let you regulate your temps very well at all unless it's in a room that's around 80 degrees. Also, screen top cages are not going to cut it. To much fluctuation in temps and humidity.
IMO, Cages that open in the front, and made of plastic, or melamime are the way to go. The two methods of heating that I like most are Flex-watt, or Radient Heat Panels WITH THERMOSTATS, of course. I do not recommend human heat pads. I've seen toooo many burn out.
If I were you, I'd check out the "cage forum" on this site. There are alot of helpful tips on heating,and "cheap" caging.
Here's a couple of cheap cages that I made from a design on that forum. They are 30 gallon, but also come in 50 gallon.
You can see the heat panel inside.

They have two thermostats on each cage (one plugged into the other. The first t-stat is set where I want it to be. The other is about 8 degrees higher and will keep the snake from cooking if the first one fails. my larger cages are run run with Ranco T-stats


In general, it will be easiest to keep your cage, whatever kind, in a warm room at least 78 degrees. Good luck, and check out the "cages forum".
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I'm just the snake room janitor

I'm not trying to bash you at all, but before I get a snake, I make sure that I have a cage fully funtioning at the correct temps and conditions for about three days prior, so I'm not stressing it out, or putting it through inadequate conditions.
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I'm just the snake room janitor