Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I was just wondering the easiest way to keep temp. and humidity levels at constant concerning boas, I am from Texas and generally keep native species of snakes but I am getting into keeping boas and it's proving difficult to maintain a higher temperature and humidity level than that which is maintained inside my house. Is there some type of lighting or lid that I can use to keep the aquarium temp and humidity at preferred levels. I have a columbian red tail and an amazon tree boa and I mist them both twice a day but the humidity will fluctuate from 90% back to 35% in just a few hours. I use douglas fir bark as substrate. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

I've always thought glass aquariums were the worst cages in my opinion to keep snakes in. Rubbermaid is just as cheap and comes with a lid! perfect for keeping in the humidity. But make sure you install enough vent holes in the sides. This will make is so you won't have to mist. Use flexwatt heat tape on on side of the bottom put in a water dish. easy matenence. now if your wanting flashy I would talk with Jeff.

I live in Texas and keep some Rainbows. Commercial snake cages are the easiest since they limit ventilation and hold humidity well. Worth every penny.

Screen tops are the enemy with boas in terms of humidity and temperature. Unless you live in a humid area, glass tanks with screen tops will not work well.

Plastic or wood cages with limited ventilation are what you want.

In the cage, tight hides help the snake guard against evaporation. And occasional soaks help too.

What you want to protect the snake from is prolonged low humidity coupled with low temps.
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Mark

Yes I have considered rubbermaid, but since I am keeping my boas in my living room, I was thinking something a bit more of a display, what about a fogger and a custom made plexi glass lid with less ventilation on a 20 gallon aquarium? I know its difficult to have the best of both worlds, a nice terrarium vs the ability to control climate, but I enjoy watching snakes in a natural looking habitat, that is the most fascinating part of this hobby right? Any ideas?

20 gallon will not work for life for the boa. You'll have to go larger. Bigger tank, bigger screen, more susceptible to fluctuating temps and humidity.

There are several manufacturers of plastic caging that make FANTASTIC looking display cages. You could pick up a model that's 18 or 24 inches tall with a shelf and then screw in a few branches that run from end to end. In fact, proline cages offer 100% realistic backgrounds that look like, and are molded from, actual rock faces. Great cages too. All that coupled with a natural substrate and some fake (or real) plants and you'll have QUITE the display!

Good luck!
jb
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Jonathan Brady

Fogger would probably keep the humidity to high. Cause Upper repiratory infection, plus humidity to high using substate you get mold/ fungus growth.