Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm pretty bored right now so I thought I'd post this update on setting up for the Colombian rainbow. I went cage shopping today and picked out a 40 gallon breeder cage for the 3-4 footer i'm getting. However, due to the cage's size, I'm going to have to make a stand for the new cage. It's got a screen lid, so I'm concerned about humidity. How will I be able to cover the screen top. I don't have glass I can use, and I'm afraid a towel would catch on fire and Seran Wrap would melt. I guess the only other option would be a humidity box? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

I'd rip the lid off and build my own out of laminated particle board. Humidity isn't quite as critical as some people make it out to be but a screen top won't hold much at all.

You might try lightly spraying the animal's hide spot each morning. But, let it evaporate over the course of the day. Also, make sure the snake has a nice, big water dish that it can soak in.

As Jeff is so fond of saying, "Listen to the animal". If s/he is shedding in one piece and getting off the eye caps, you're probably doing O.K.
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

Well it'd be a shame to rip off the lid when it can just easily slide off...lol.

About the water dish: I will get one as big as possible for her, but I thought of taking a page out of the current owner's book and letting it soak in a bath tub. I have one no one ever uses. It'd be a shame to see it go to waste.

I will still appreciate other ideas of keeping humidity in the cage.
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

100% agreed with Mike, adults don't need as much humidity as the babies. To cover part of the screen and lessen the humidity loss, ou can use lots of things. Basically anything that will prevent airflow will aid in retaining humidity. If you're concerned with the heat lamp, aluminum foil would work great or a piece of plastic that would be rated for higher temps.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.24 BRB
11.13 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks alot. Now I'm wondering about the lighting. I know snakes don't need UV, but would a UV lamp bring out the iridescence of the snake? Or will just the heat lamp, assuming I use a bulb, be enough? Again thanks to everyone who has been helping me prepare for this gorgeous critter!
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1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Well, I am new, and I am no expert. But to keep humidity in my cage I cover about 3/4 of it with a towel. It hasnt caught on fire yet (its been about a month). Of course, if you were to set the lamp on top of the towel it would definately catch. I did something stupid the other day, totally by accident. I took the lamp off the top of my cage, and set it on the floor. Not even thirty seconds went by and I started smelling smoke. I burnt a little hole in my carpet, it kinda looks like a cigarette burn haha.
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1.0 Bearded Dragons
0.3 Fat tailed geckos
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa

I keep my room at a constant temp and then I use a ceramic heater for my tanks. They can be on 24/7 and you don't have to worry about the temps going up and down during day and night. The hot side is always the same and the cool side is always the same.

For light, I use a 24" flourescent on a timer.

I use a large waterbowl that my rainbow loves. When in shed I cover 3/4 of the top with cardboard and mist regularly.

Good luck with everything!
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-Iman

Loving to Learn
Learning to Help
Helping to Love

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