Reptile & Amphibian Forums

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The tank was too hot. I double checked my thermometers and for some reason one was reporting correctly, the other was not. The tank was too hot.

I cooled it, swapped lamps and got him a few new hides since he loves them and I now have a much calmer and happier snake even though he's still nippy.

I have a question about humidity, what levels do Easterns prefer? I'm pretty sure my basement is too dry at 20-26% since everything I read points at 30-40%

I don't know about the humidity - but yes, kings can be quite picky about temps.

I keep my house fairly cool in winter (wear a sweater and save on gas bill). The room with my neonates gets supplemental heat - but when I went down to Bay Area for christmas, I unplugged it as I was worried about having it on when I'm not home.

I turned up the thermostat on the neonates just a couple degrees to compensate. Got back - all were due to eat, none would eat, one bit me, and they were extremely squirrely. Turned their flexwatt back down, and they acted normal again, and they ate just fine.

Next year when I go down for christmas, I won't make the same mistake.
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3.3.4 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

I learned that overhead lightning can be quite bad. I had a neonate last year in a 10 gallon tank with one of those overhead lights you get at Petco. The bulb was very dim, but the result was the overhead temp was still too warm and much to dry. all kinds of eating and shedding and temperment problems with the snake that stemmed from the overhead light. changed light, and no more issues.

bluerosey will hit you over the head about using overhead lightning. my head is still sore from last year. but he is right, with one exception.

The exception I've found is with the acrylic enslosures with the clear front panel door that flips open (i got mine from dragons4you.com or some similar spelling). A cool flourescent white light and air vents are built in. I run the light and no issues at all. Plenty of humidity because of the design and the heat never builds up because the light is only a very low wattage, but still provides plenty of light so i can enjoy looking at my snake.

Tom K

The exception I've found is with the acrylic enslosures with the clear front panel door that flips open (i got mine from dragons4you.com or some similar spelling). A cool flourescent white light and air vents are built in. I run the light and no issues at all. Plenty of humidity because of the design and the heat never builds up because the light is only a very low wattage, but still provides plenty of light so i can enjoy looking at my snake.

I still don't see this as better than undertank heating. Snakes live in holes. They don't like to sit next to a bright light. I have never found snakes in the wild near any lightbulbs. I think they get headaches from lightbulbs.

Ya! I use 15 and 25 watt day light bulbs, their not to brite and seem to work well, depending on the size of the tanks,I use the 25watt for 20gal. tanks and 15 for smaller tanks. Always check temperature under light bulb, and stay in heat range. Try only to light one side of tank. My lights are on top of screen lid(filtered light),(slider) tanks, it lights the tank and gives a place to bask if they want it. Some snakes enjoy basking, some don't. Most of my Kings seem to enjoy basking.

PS. I only light my tanks about 5hrs a day.
Have a Great NEW YEAR!

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R.BICHLER
http://www.webspawner.com/users/rbichler/index.html