Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone, I've been a lurker here for about 3 mos. I've actually had a snake since the middle of August, and its been helpful reading the threads here. Its a female Hypo, born in July. She is housed in a 10g with a screen top, a small heater under the tank on one side, and an incandesent light on the same side as the heater. I live in Minnesota so the climate is pretty nasty in the winter. My question is, will this heater be enough when the ambient temperature drops. The cage is in my fishroom so it never gets too cold in there, but it could possibly go as low as 50 degrees. I do have a gas fireplace in the room, but I usually just have it on at night. I dont use the light much because it drives the temp up a little too high. In winter I realize this will help keep the temp up during the day, but what would you recommend I do at night? I use red lights on a nocturnal fishtank because they cant see the red spectrum. Are herps similar? or would a dark blue light be better. I'm just trying to plan ahead a little bit. Thanks

well doy ou have a thermometer in the tank. make sure the temps stay ideal on both the hot and cold sides. if need be move him to a warmer spot in the house.

another thing he looks good, what kind of shavings are those. if they are pine get them out and go with aspen. well anyways good luck and congrats on a healthy looking snake

froggy
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The next time the shuttle lands, lets all get dressed up in ape suits and charge at the astronaughts yelling and ranting. That way they can try to figure out where they took a wrong turn.

Thanks, yes I've been real happy with her.
Yes I do have 2 thermometers in the tank, and things are ideal under these particular climate conditions. What I'm curious about is how drasticly those will change when winter comes. I'm a newbie with snakes, but I am an advanced aquarium hobbiest. I'm able to successfully maintain some very challenging species, so doing my research isnt a new concept for me. I was just hoping for some personal experiences, and perhaps some constructive remedies. The snake wont be moving out of this room.

well it is pretty easy, when the climate starts changing monitor the temps really close, or go and buy a thermostat and a ceramic heat emmiter and go that route. if you are just going to use bulbs like i do, just watch the temps, and when they get colder go to a higher wattage bulb. i also use night time bulbs to keep the temps ideal at night as well
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The next time the shuttle lands, lets all get dressed up in ape suits and charge at the astronaughts yelling and ranting. That way they can try to figure out where they took a wrong turn.