Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In the beginning the summer I got a Ball Python and a Jungle Carpet Python. They are kept in a room that stayed humid and the temperature ranged between 85-90 degrees during the day, and didn't drop below 70 degrees at night. However colder weather is now approaching and I need to find a heating supplement for them. They each have heating pads, but I'm aware those aren't enough. Could someone please tell me exactly what I need to buy for both of them to keep them healthy? I've been searching the internet trying to find what I should use, but there is so much information out there! I just want to know specifically what I need. My Ball Python is about 2 feet in length and kept in a 20 gallon. My Jungle Carpet Python is almost 3 feet in length and kept in an 18 inch cubed enclosure. Also, in a few months I'm moving to Las Vegas which will require me to spend about 6 days driving across the country. What is the best way to transport them? I also have an adult Bearded Dragon (he's not kept in the same room as the snakes, he has proper heat and lighting allready). I know my snakes can go without food for a while, but will my dragon be ok? What should I put them in so they're safe? I would really appreciate any answers to my questions. Thanks ahead of time for anyone who has some advice!

have you considered purchasing a small space heater that could warm the room enough so that the heat pads can do their job?
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1.0.0 Great Plains Ratsnake
1.0.0 Corn, Lavender Aztec het for Amel
0.1.0 Black Ratsnake
0.0.1 Texas Rat (tame)
1.0.0 Broad Banded Water Snake, Hypo
1.0.0 Black Bassador Retriever
2.1.0 Godchildren, 1 Evil, 2 possible hets

As already mentioned, a space heater could easily be used in conjunction with the heating pads,...I use one as well in the winter time in central Florida, but I provide a lot of misting too to compensate for the extreme dryness in the air. If this is not taken into consideration, this will certainly drop the humidity to a level that will more than likely cause shedding issues. You must address that issue as well, there are humidifiers that can be bought, or you could completely cover a good portion of their cages with plastic wrap, etc... to maintain an optimal humidity along with a large waterbowl.

Watever method you choose, I would DEFINITELY keep an accurate thermometer, and maybe even a humidity gauge INSIDE the enclosures at the bottom surface where the snake actually is. Changing the amount of ventilation can drastically affect temperatures, so DO NOT GUESS at these. This is a very common mistake made by many that can have very disasterous results if not closely monitored.

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Thanks a ton for your responses. I had considered a space heater, but I didn't know if that was the best option. Also, I'm moving across the country in December with my 2 snakes and my bearded dragon. Do you think my dragon will be ok without food for that length of time? I'm thinking about putting them in a trailer attached to my jeep, but I am concerned about the temps dropping to low (I'm traveleing in December). What is the lowest temperature that would be safe for all 3? Thanks again!

I also forgot to mention, I would NOT recommend one of the "old-fashioned" hot cable type space heaters that you can see glowing when hot, and blow out hot air. These are more dangerous, and they would also REALLY dry out the air far too much in a confined area. I would go to a store and get an oil-filled space heater that has many different heating adjustments like the one below.

The type on the left is the one you want, these simply radiate the heat, and don't blow out hot dry air.

~Doug

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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Since temperature is a big issue with you transporting them, I would simply put the animals in very secure individual small bags and put them in the vehicle with me....making darn sure they aren't exposed to direct sun of course..LOL! This is always what I do when transporting a few animals.

Just make EXTRA sure the bags don't have small rips in the corners, snakes are notorious for pushing and working their noses through bags that aren't totally secure. What I usually do in this case, is put the bag with the snake into another small plastic container with ventilation holes melted into them, this provides a double-dose of extra security just in case. Just ask around if this has happened to other snake keepers..LOL!!!

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Thanks a ton! Do you think my dragon will be ok for 5-7 days without eating?

I'd like to help with that one, but I don't know much about those. I would go to the lizard forums with that one.

good luck!, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

WHOA! Someone asked a question that Dough did NOT know the answer to. That's scary. I think that's one of the signs of the End Times.
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1.0.0 Great Plains Ratsnake
1.0.0 Corn, Lavender Aztec het for Amel
0.1.0 Black Ratsnake
0.0.1 Texas Rat (tame)
1.0.0 Broad Banded Water Snake, Hypo
1.0.0 Black Bassador Retriever
2.1.0 Godchildren, 1 Evil, 2 possible hets

Yeah,...I know!, it's funny, all these many years I've been involved with reptiles, and I've only ever owned just a couple different lizards and turtles before, and that was when I was a young kid(with the exception of a small snapping turtle 15 years ago). For some reason, I've only ever really been interested in snakes all my life, so that is were my "insanely" deep interest REALLY lies!..LOL!

My common sense logic with herps tells me the lizard would be fine, since reptiles have a much different metabolism than other animal's, although it would certainly be VERY hungry, and/or thirsty by then. But I would also think giving it a few tid-bits to eat and some water wouldn't be too dificult either when the traveling ended from time to time.

~Doug(doesn't know ALL)Mong..LOL!


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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Dough?
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
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0.2.0 Pueblans
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0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
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1.0.0 San Diego Gopher, Poss. Het Applegate
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http://www.cafepress.com/shedz

It's not very often, but on occasion I have been known to be "soft" sometimes, but calling me "Dough" is going just a little too far..LOL!

~Doug

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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

I would have said something if you hadn't.

The Pillsbury Snake Man.

Your beardie should be fine for that amount of time, but as you drive will you be stopping at night and such? If he's going to be in the car (and therefore nice and warm) you could bring along some premade diet to feed him along the way. However, if his temperatures are not going to be at optimal range it may be better not to feed him during transit to prevent any potential digestion problems due to cool temps. Definately bag the snakes within other containers... the last thing you want on the highway is a python wrapped around your pedals! Good luck

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lost in the jungle somewhere
Z