Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I am moving my two ball pythons to a 4x1x2 glass aquarium. I originally bought screen to place on the top, but based on a kingsnake forum user suggestion, I had my girlfriend cut me plexi with drilled holes to fit the top of the aquarium. I live in chicago, and it's winter/spring, meaning the humidity is pretty low. Using a plexi glass top with drilled holes sounds great for keeping humidity in, but will it give enough air ventilation for the snakes? I am using cocunut husk (bed-a-beast) as a substrate. I mist it every few days, and during shed cycles, soak down the substrate a bit more than just misting.

My other question is this. . . I am using an UTH right now, and have another attached to the side for ambient air temp around 80, and a hot spot near 90. Do you think this is enough? If the side attached heater is *not* enough, and if have to use a a heat lamp, can I just cut a hole in the plexi and put some screen there so the snakes wont get burned. With this method, I am just worried about humidity retention.

Thanks everyone...

jen

The plexi is better than screen for keeping heat and humidity inside the cage -- you don't need but a small crack or a few small holes for good air exchange - you shouldn't be misting the cage daily just during shed cycles. As for heat -- it's better to add a bigger UTH to the bottom or side if you need it -- lamps are just really inefficient for heating. You can also add insulating materials (backgrounds etc.) to help keep the heat inside the cage.
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Tosha
JET Pythons
Toshas Blog

awww... my female ball (Scout) has a heart patch on her markings as well...

thanks for your advice...