Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Dry-o-philes,

I've posted this in the general snake forum, but I covet your responses especially.

Our collection is growing to the point that we are working it almost every day, so I'm considering some upgrades to our equipment.

Up until now, we've used some of the adhesive strip thermometers and some of the round stick on thermometers. I like the round ones better simply because they are easier to read and I can put them on with velcro and pull them out when I hose out a cage. We have five snakes (4 Dry) currently and two or three more Drys coming within the next month (still not a huge number, I realize).

If we exclusively use the round analog thermometers at $5 each with one at the warm end and one of the cool end of the cage, the cost it is starting to add up. The ones I see locally aren’t impressive for accuracy; I might pull six of them off of the rack and see six different readings. This variability is not favorably impressive to me.

I've been looking at the infrared thermometers. I've seen one of the RayTek's for as little as $65 plus shipping. I like the idea of being able to spot check various areas of a testy animal's cage without opening it to move the thermometer (and wait for it to change). I don't need need a huge working range, and this is where I get confused. I've looked at product descriptions from manufacturers as well as those by retailers. Some explicitly say "non-contact measurement from x inches to y feet," but they are the exceptions.

I can't foresee a need for a range over 6', if you can, please enlighten me. I plan to keep an inexpensive thermometer in the warmed area of the cage just as a quick and ongoing indicator of trouble.

We just acquired our first very young snake, and I'd like to document her growth closely, so I want to get a scale.

We are going to attempt breeding some snakes in the future, so that is a consideration.

I'm soliciting your input as to

1) what brands and models of scales and/or thermometers that you have purchased,
2) why you picked what you did and
3) your satisfaction/the reliability of the product.

I bow in advance to both your collective and individual expertise as well as your willingness to share it.

BN

Rayteks are awesome.

Your plan on keeping cheap thermometers in as a trouble indicator is a good one.

I even use my raytek in the kitchen as an oven thermometer or if I'm making a custard (don't wanna over cook the eggs)

As for scales, there are a variety of them out there. I use one for snakes less than 1 lb and another for those between 1 and 20 lbs. I don't know if I can call any one better than others, but I'm sure there are plenty of quality products at good prices out there.

Good luck.

Doug T

I don't own this particular scale, but I think it looks like a good one..... Here is why -

1. removable, washable, metal top
2. accurate to the nearest gram
3. can hold up to 6kg (13 lbs)
4. under $50

www.rightonscales.com/web/kd-600.htm

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Chris Harrison

That is a very important consideration for any equipment (and that scale has a lot of nice features). I don't want ANYTHING in the snake room that is not washable.

Someone remarked to Oldherper in another forum the other day that they had seen him posting in the Indigo forum, and he responded something to the effect that he doesn't spend as much time posting here as he does cleaning Dry cages.

Lately I feel like we are cleaning cages every day. New substrate seems to stimulate a bowel movement in these animals! And if they don't crap, they are compelled to upend the water dish. I don't like to leave them sitting on sopping paper.

We are working on getting a daily maintenance routine down. I think that once we get all of the adult snakes in the same style of cage it will smooth the process somewhat. I'm drooling over the new Neodesha 48" units that can stack four high. That would be the end, though, of taking them outdoors and hosing them out.

BN

welcome to the club beatrice! i probably clean about 10 tanks a day, every day and yeah, they soil everything immediately here too. ;-/ i anchor their [every snake here] water dishes to the sides of their cages though so no spillage can take place ever again. i do it w/ a hot knife and a small strip of aluminum. when i need to change the water, they just snap out quickly, clean and just snap back in. it is definitely not good for them to sit on wet paper unduly. on the bright side, wait till you have a bunch of baby dryjoys to get started one day......then you'll know what real 'pita' work is! these things can crap no problem while still steadfastly refusing food. at least the adults do what you want them to.....most of the time anyway. keeping drymarchon, it's not just a job, it's a @#$%$@# adventure.......