Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy! So, I just replaced my rheostat with a thermostat. Works great! However, the thermostat is set @ 90 degrees F; but, the Radioshack digital Thermometer says 81.9 Both probes are next to each other under the little cave on the warm side. Which should I believe?? Also. what can I do to increase humidity? Meter says 38%. I've seen it as high as 60% in there on a rainy day. I moved the water dish from the cool side to the middle back.

On another note, I've had my snake for going on 3 weeks. I haven't seen him defacate at all. I dunno if he is doing that in his normal hiding spot or what. The only thing I smell in his tank is the warm substrate. He is eating just fine. Hasn't learned to coil around the pinkies yet.

One last thing. Are red lights bad for am albino snake?

Thanks in advance!

Last thing, I need to get him used to me. He still runs in fear but calms down once I've got him in my hand. He should be a little more accepting by now I would think. AM I doing something wrong? I don't want handling to be associated with fear. Please help.

Thanks again!

Need to know what type of T-stat. If it is under 30 dollars I would not trust either. As for the snake running away from you sounds like you have a hachling and that is normal. Then it gets older it will not run away any more.

It is difficult to get accurate temperature measurements in a snake’s habitat. The snake itself is warmed by the temperature of the substraight, belly heat, and by radiant heat like from the sun or a lamp. Most snake cages don’t have basking lights so that leaves belly heat. I put my thermostat probe over the heat under the substraight. That way you are sensing the same heat the snake is feeling. Your Radio shack digital thermometer is measuring the air temperature, which is of no real interest to the snake.

Don’t worry too much about the humidity. 38% in not bad. If you would like you can put the water bowl over the heat (you didn’t say what kind of heat you have). That will help. I wouldn’t worry about it though unless your snake is having trouble shedding.

If you are feeding pinkies, I’m guessing your snake is a hatchling. When they defecate, it will be small and might go unnoticed. On shavings, it will look like black spot, much like you would expect from a small bird. If he is eating regularly he is doing fine. Make sure he isn’t eating a lot of substriaght. Very young snakes don’t coil and constrict their prey, as they will when older.

Sounds like your are doing a great job. Enjoy your snake.

Wade

>>Howdy! So, I just replaced my rheostat with a thermostat. Works great! However, the thermostat is set @ 90 degrees F; but, the Radioshack digital Thermometer says 81.9 Both probes are next to each other under the little cave on the warm side. Which should I believe?? Also. what can I do to increase humidity? Meter says 38%. I've seen it as high as 60% in there on a rainy day. I moved the water dish from the cool side to the middle back.
>>
>>On another note, I've had my snake for going on 3 weeks. I haven't seen him defacate at all. I dunno if he is doing that in his normal hiding spot or what. The only thing I smell in his tank is the warm substrate. He is eating just fine. Hasn't learned to coil around the pinkies yet.
>>
>>One last thing. Are red lights bad for am albino snake?
>>
>>Thanks in advance!
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Wade's Weptiles & Wodents