Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was thinking about maybe purchasing day and night heat lamps for my milk snakes and taking out the under tank heaters. I was going to do this because I think heat lamps might promote them to come out more due to wanting to bask in the light instead of constantly hiding.. I have these two decked out tanks that never have anything to show.. not even at night. Any ideas? Might just take all the decor I bought back and just get a vision rack if this is how its going to be..

>>I was thinking about maybe purchasing day and night heat lamps for my milk snakes and taking out the under tank heaters. I was going to do this because I think heat lamps might promote them to come out more due to wanting to bask in the light instead of constantly hiding.. I have these two decked out tanks that never have anything to show.. not even at night. Any ideas? Might just take all the decor I bought back and just get a vision rack if this is how its going to be..

Couple things to consider.
Lamps use way more wattage. 8 watt small pad compared to 40 watt bulb minimum. Lamps also get hot enough to melt stuff and burn stuff.

Snakes hide. The only way your snakes aren't gonna hide is if they don't have any spots too hide. And without hides they will stress out and be unhealthy. It is just what many snakes do. If you have only had them a few weeks or months then I would give it time. Many milks/corns/rats will come out when they feel more comfortable. But if they are in a busy, high traffic room, they are gonna hide.

So, basically you aren't gonna get to see them more, and you will pay a higher electricity bill.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

hmm well since it has been 80-90 degrees lately and my room is always the hottest room in the house, I unplugged both of their under tank heaters.. Someone at a local pet shop told me to do this and it might trick them into thinking it is nighttime.. Well, It worked. They are both out exploring right now and my pueblan has been out the past 2 hours.. this is the first time I have seen him soak in his water bowl and I have had him over a year!

>>hmm well since it has been 80-90 degrees lately and my room is always the hottest room in the house, I unplugged both of their under tank heaters.. Someone at a local pet shop told me to do this and it might trick them into thinking it is nighttime.. Well, It worked. They are both out exploring right now and my pueblan has been out the past 2 hours.. this is the first time I have seen him soak in his water bowl and I have had him over a year!

Is it possible their ambient air temp has just been a tweak low and they are hiding cause they are sitting on their heat? Thought.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

They are out because it is hot in your room.

Milks hide more than some types of snakes. Well, nearly all hide, but milks are very happy to stay out of sight if they can.

Milks love cool temps, and seek warm temps as needed to digest and stuff. They get ancy when the ambient temps hover above 85 in the entire cage. Then they may cruise, looking for a cool area.

Put an ice pak in there near a hide. Watch what happens.
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Mark

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