Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just finished my 6x4x4 cage with 3/4" plywood and a 3/8" plexiglass (6'x3') viewing window. Right now I've got 4 dome lamps mounted on the top (two on right, two on left). What bulbs should I use and what other ventilation/heating/humidity devices should I get for it? It's usually around 75-80 in my house and in south texas it stays pretty humid... Also, how long will this last my snake? Thanks!

Build a 2 foot high shelf that is approximately 4 feet long and the width of the cage. That way your Burm can use the bottom as a hide and the top as a basking area. You don't need to place sides on it, so you can still see inside. You can place a small wattage bulb over the shelf area but I don't think you need anymore overhead bulbs. They will dry out the air inside your cage. Place a Kane heat mat on the cage floor and your Burm will have overhead heat when she wants and belly heat at other times. For a male that size cage is perfect, imo. For a female, if you take her out on a regular basis for exercise, it will be fine as well.
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles
GiantFeeders

Marcia made a great suggestion regarding the installation of a platform. Wood is a great insulator and four heat lamps will be far too much (as Marcia said, one would be better in conjunction with a ground floor heat mat). Personally, though, having using just about every heating product available, you cannot go wrong with a Pro Product Radiant Heat Panel. They come in all sizes and our wildlife center (and my home collection) uses them almost exclusively. Our animals are in perfect health, feed well, breed well, and we have yet to have one RI case for any of our burms.

Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)