Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an undertank heater that keeps the substrate(sand which he loves to burrow in) at about 85-90 at the bottom of the sand near the glass.This is on one half of the tank. I was wondering if I should add a basking spot? He doesnt seem to be too cold even though the other side of the tank is only in the high 70s he still wanders over there quite often. Does this sound about right if I use the basking light it will heat up the over all temp probable to the mid 80s.

a basking light isn't necessary for snakes' health the way it is for lizards....and from what you say I definitely think it would heat your tank up too much--your snake should have access to low-mid-70's on the cool side. your hot side is pretty hot, I've heard low to mid 80's but as long as he has a choice he's probably fine
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Sue Barnett
1.0 Florida King (Vega)
0.1 Western hognose (Sola)
0.1 Egyptian spiny mouse (Mia)
4.2 mini rex rabbits (Basil, Pippin, Reggie, Hayden, Jackie and Peek-a-boo)
0.1 Plott hound (Molly)
1.0 half Arab (Zarr)
1.0 Betta (Flash)

i have battled evry prob w/hogs and from my experience they do better with a heat souurce such as heat rocks or under tank heaters

you should know that heat rocks are NOT recommended for snakes, lizards, or anything else that pet stores try to sell them to unsuspecting people for.
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Sue Barnett
1.0 Florida King (Vega)
0.1 Western hognose (Sola)
0.1 Egyptian spiny mouse (Mia)
4.2 mini rex rabbits (Basil, Pippin, Reggie, Hayden, Jackie and Peek-a-boo)
0.1 Plott hound (Molly)
1.0 half Arab (Zarr)
1.0 Betta (Flash)

Despite personally liking UTHs more, I consider heat lamps to be more natural. Consult Platt's natural history of the hognose, they burrow to get AWAY from heat, so it stands to reason that you don't want to heat the substrate from bottom up.

Perhaps we should start asking people with non-feeding hogs what kind of heat source they use and take a poll.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

Interesting idea! I've always used bottom heat for adults and ambient heat for hatchlings. Take care. John Meltzer

decided to just use the uth..I am afraid now that the overhead light will overheat the tank but I might trade off once or twice a week and see how it goes...