Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am keeping mine between 80-85 degrees and the humidity at day around 60% and at night (I turn on a myter) at 70-80%. My setup down not allow for hotpoints...there are under ceramic bulbs in critter keepers at the moment, though soon to have these great new 4' plastic setups from Neil at www.moonstruckexotics.com. My four children(1:1 Sumatran, 1:1 Black bloods) are all '03.

norm hill
Seatle

Hey,
Your temp/ humidity parameters , sound fine, a hot spot is not absolutely necessary as long as the temperatures do not drop below what you are stating. They can actually do very well under ambient temperatures in the range you described. As for the humidity, if they are young animals of '03, then the humidity levels are also fine. They tend to do better in the upper level of the range. Even adults do better with humidity levels in the upper upper 50's to 60's. You don't want to keep a sopping wet environment or wet substrate, so monitor that carefully, as it is easy to over saturate the cages with too much humidity. What are you using for a cage now? Rubbermaid or other type.

- Angel
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Sometimes on your way to your dream, you get lost and find a better way!

>>Hey,
>>Your temp/ humidity parameters , sound fine, a hot spot is not absolutely necessary as long as the temperatures do not drop below what you are stating. They can actually do very well under ambient temperatures in the range you described. As for the humidity, if they are young animals of '03, then the humidity levels are also fine. They tend to do better in the upper level of the range. Even adults do better with humidity levels in the upper upper 50's to 60's. You don't want to keep a sopping wet environment or wet substrate, so monitor that carefully, as it is easy to over saturate the cages with too much humidity. What are you using for a cage now? Rubbermaid or other type.
>>
>>- Angel

>>Sometimes on your way to your dream, you get lost and find a better way!

Right now I have six snakes in a large 4 x 3 tank, under lights (cermaics). Each snake is in a plastic Kritter Keeper with a screened lid. Each is on cypress mulch substrate. None of the snakes have contact with one another. I am moving them into 4 x 2 x 1 foot "high humidity holding" cages in a week or so (one for each). They are all eating, though one has shown up with lite brown scattering of spots on her skin. I was afraid it might be a fugus, but it does not come off?! with wiping. I have been recently placing a dish in the tank at night with a mysting tool that increases humidity up to 80% throughout the night.

Hi,
I think that the temperatures are fine, although, I think that the critter holders, are not adequate enough for your charges. I would try and get them into something like a rubbermaid, set up if possible. What are the temperatures in the house or area of the room they are being maintained in?

I would suggest to you to build a rack system for your bloods if you are handy with tools, as the rack system is the best way to control and regulate temperatures and humidity, while at the same time, giving them a more stable environment to grow in. The plastic critter cages, don't really afford them the security and or insulation they need as babies. If you don't know what a rack system is I can supply you with a plan for building one. They are not hard to build and require some basic tools. I think that the cage that you are going to be putting the animals into is way to large for babies of several months old.

A smaller cage like a plastic shoe box, is actually a better enclosure for a baby or juvie. A sweater box like the Rubbermaid, I believe 2221, might be off on the number, can make a better cage, as you can them provide them with a gradient and several areas within the box, to hide in (humid hide, and a dry hide spot).

As for the dry looking area that you suspect might be fungus, I would wait and see if it sheds out with the next shed. If it doesn't then I would take it into a vet and see what the diagnosis for that is, as it is not easy to diagnose unless done by a vet with the right experience. Good luck!

- Angel
-----
Sometimes on your way to your dream, you get lost and find a better way!

>>Hey,
>>Your temp/ humidity parameters , sound fine, a hot spot is not absolutely necessary as long as the temperatures do not drop below what you are stating. They can actually do very well under ambient temperatures in the range you described. As for the humidity, if they are young animals of '03, then the humidity levels are also fine. They tend to do better in the upper level of the range. Even adults do better with humidity levels in the upper upper 50's to 60's. You don't want to keep a sopping wet environment or wet substrate, so monitor that carefully, as it is easy to over saturate the cages with too much humidity. What are you using for a cage now? Rubbermaid or other type.
>>
>>- Angel

>>Sometimes on your way to your dream, you get lost and find a better way!

Right now I have six snakes in a large 4 x 3 tank, under lights (cermaics). Each snake is in a plastic Kritter Keeper with a screened lid. Each is on cypress mulch substrate. None of the snakes have contact with one another. I am moving them into 4 x 2 x 1 foot "high humidity holding" cages in a week or so (one for each). They are all eating, though one has shown up with lite brown scattering of spots on her skin. I was afraid it might be a fugus, but it does not come off?! with wiping. I have been recently placing a dish in the tank at night with a mysting tool that increases humidity up to 80% throughout the night.

I'll tell ya, I have never seen a commercially available cage more appropriate for bloods. These cages LOOK awesome, from the web site, and they are reasonably priced. I may have to get one.
I wonder, does the heating application have a control?

I got a couple for my two bloods. I'll let you know about any controls if there are any, though I believe they just come with the heat tape and you supply the thermostat. Mine should be showing up any day now...

They recently designed & manufactured some racks for a very specific box size that I prefer to raise my young bloods in, and have been nothing but fabulous to work with. Mark & Ali are both extremely accommodating in answering all questions & offering advice on any caging application you could possibly consider. My plan over the next year is to convert everything from Vision cages & melamine racks to Animal Plastics & Freedom Breeder. I can't imagine using anything else!

K
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"Remember the days of the old schoolyard?" - Cat Stevens