Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been reading different forums and such on columbian red tails for a couple weeks and today I went to a shwo and finally picked a male out. Now thta i have him home I thought I would describe what his set-up is like and you guys could tell me if eevrything is ok. OK he is a hatchling from this year so I have him in a 10 gallon tank with aspen substrate. He has a hide box on the hot side and his water bowl and a branch on the other. I have heat tape on one side and also a regular light bulb(but it is red) to heat the hot side. A big question I have is if he climbs onto the lightbulb fixture will he be burned or injured ect. I have used it for my corns but they dont really crawl or climb around too much. Please let me know asap so I know whether or not to leave it in there. I have it turned off now becasue I wasnt sure. Wihtout the light on during the day it seems to be pretty steady around 80 degrees but is now falling to about 78 now that i am looking at it. That is measuring the ambient air and since their is heat tape underneath it is probably a bit warmer than that. Let me know what you guys think

It sounds like you have a good understanding of how to care for a boa. I would suggest what ever you use for your heat source that you put a wire basket around it. They are called bulb cages. And work with IR bulbs as well as ceramic. They keep the snake off the heat.

Where can you find bulb baskets? Is this Paul Miles?

It would be best if you can measure the temp ON the substrate right above the heat tape. If you don't have a temp gun then Walmart sells indoor/outdoor thermometers with a probe, they are only about $10. That way you can check the temps right on the surface where the snake is.

I don't know what kind of heat tape you have, but unless your house is really cold, heat tape AND a light on the same side sounds like it might be a bit warm in such a small tank. Also make sure the snake cannot touch the light. It can and will burn itself.

Temps should be about 78 to 80 cool side and 92 to 95 warm side.

Good luck and congrats on your purchase.

Kathy

don't forget to have place he can hide on the cool side as well. my neonate boa climbed alot and it can get them into trouble if there is anything they can get onto or stuck in (like latches).

I have a digital thermometer shoudl it be right on top of the substrate. On the hot side the it looks liek it is only getting to be about 80. The tank is just seems to crowded when i put two hide boxes in. I will do whatever is best for him though.