Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm going to be buying some more boaphiles in about a month or so and I'm debating either getting the 1.5 belly heat or the radiant heat panels. Which one is "better" and why? I understand belly heat would probably be better for digestion, and the heat panel would be good for ambient temps. I've seen both widely used and I'm just curious to hear the opinions here. Thanks in advance.

Who would know better than Jeff himself? I use the belly heat for all my cages but I also keep the room heated so the ambient temperature stays at about 82. The reason I say ask Jeff is because if you describe what your set up will be like he will recommend the heating option thats right for you. By the way good choice on the boaphiles, if you don't already have some and love em, you will.

I've started doing the same thing. I was using the belly heat only for a while with the snakes having their own room. The house temps fluctuated too much, however, especially during the change in the seasons so now I have a space heater for each snake room that gives me an ambient temp in the low 80s.

Wonder how we could have possibly gotten thru all those years before Boaphile ?
Guess we got lucky ?

Tnk

HA!
The phrase "trial and error" comes to mind, but with more "error" than I'd have liked...

I use single heat on my Boaphiles. My room temps are about 72 year round, they are stacked and the only exposed face is the front though. I get perfect gradients setting the heat to 90 or 92 depending on the boa and it's preferences. Individual thermostats really help.

The following was taken from the boa care section on RioBravoReptiles.com:

Boas thermoregulate in subtle ways by raising and lowering the mass of their bodies on a heated surface; this is largely denied to them by using radiant heat.

If your ambient temps are too low a room heater is best, instead of radient heat panels. The panels are good for many species, but boas are not one of them.
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/

Thank you very much guys (especially chris) I think I have made up my mind and will use either the 1.0 or 1.5 belly heat, if I need to in the future I will use a small space heater for the room. Thanks again.

No problem. I'm in a similar situation right now looking at a few new cage companies and possibly some custom work. Some of my cages may get a shelf put in so because of the height to accomodate the shelf I may use a heat panel over it, but still have the belly heat on the floor of the cage. I don't want a room heater because I get perfect gradients in all my cages and racks with the 72 room temp, yet some of the cages may have too much open space for a standard belly heat option to keep the whole interior at good levels.
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/

I have always used belly heat, and it works great for me. I think a good rule of thumb, is to heat 1/3 the bottom of the cage with belly heat. Hope this helps.

Personally I think heating 1/4 is best. But whatever works to give you the proper gradient is fine.
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/