Reptile & Amphibian Forums

-is it ok to place a UTH on a wooden surface?
-i have the UTH installed under a dimmer switch with the heat lamp, what should i do at night. unplugg the UTH or the heat lamp?
-can snakes see in pitch black?
-how do i measure the ground temp (dont want to burn his belly)?
-humidity at warm side is 60%, what should it be the other end at?

you guys have been a great help, thx ...

>>-is it ok to place a UTH on a wooden surface?

Yes, if it's at a safe temp for your snake then it should not be a problem

>>-i have the UTH installed under a dimmer switch with the heat lamp, what should i do at night. unplugg the UTH or the heat lamp?

Definately turn off the lamp at night. Better yet get a plug-in timer ($10). Having the light on 24-7 would be very stressfull. Plus the temp drop at night simulates a natural enviroment.

>>-can snakes see in pitch black?

I don't know...probably not "pitch black" but if you look at their eyes in the light they have slit type pupils which could open a lot wider in the dark...just like cats.

>>-how do i measure the ground temp (dont want to burn his belly)?

With a thermometer. The best way is with a digital thermometer with a probe. They can be found as indoor/outdoor thermometers at hardware stores. It's important that you measure the temp right over the UTH so that you can adjust it acordingly. Measuring the temp up on the wall is all but useless.

>>-humidity at warm side is 60%, what should it be the other end at?

60% sounds good for daily humidity...either side. Watch for signs of an imenent shed and raise the humidity or put in a humid hide box (which I think is better)

>>
>>you guys have been a great help, thx ...
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Oilfan94 - Big Mike

I'm not an "expert" with BP's, but I can answer a couple of them...

-i have the UTH installed under a dimmer switch with the heat lamp, what should i do at night. unplugg the UTH or the heat lamp?

I would take off the heat lamp, if not both. Thinking how it happens in nature, during the night heat doesn't come from above, and a cold animal would burrow to get warm, so UTH makes sense. Assuming the heat lamp doesn't give off visible light and it results in the same temperature, I don't think it makes a huge difference either way. Does it get cool enough at night with the UTH on constantly? I'm in Tucson, so concepts such as "too cold" are foreign to me. Damn caresheet says "It should get down to around 75 on the cool side"... ha! If the *house* gets down to 75 I'd be impressed.

-can snakes see in pitch black?

Nothing can see in total darkness, there has to be some light. Their heat receptors still work, though. With their tongue and the receptors, I believe a snake can "feel" its way around enough in total darkness.

-how do i measure the ground temp (dont want to burn his belly)?

A probe would be good, but assuming the ambient temperature at ground level is correct and the ground isn't too warm to the touch, it should be pretty close. In fact, though I use UTH's in my tubs, a little dial thermometer propped up in the tub gives a significantly higher temp than one lying on the ground. I think it has to do with the air heating up faster than the bedding will. An old tank of mine had one of those stick-on UTH's, which produced the right ambient temp, but was way too hot to the touch, and I just duct-taped 5 or so layers of paper towel over the UTH before I put the bedding on, so at the very most the snake still couldn't burn herself.

-humidity at warm side is 60%, what should it be the other end at?

60%. Thinking back to a BP sitting in west Africa, with the exception of his burrow, it would be the same humidity everywhere. Temperature is what's important. With various hot/cold hiding spots, the water bowl, the temperature gradient, etc., there will be more/less humid areas in the tank, and that's all the variety your snake should need.

IANAG, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I hope that helps.

-is it ok to place a UTH on a wooden surface?

Depends on the wood. Solid wood (oak, cherry, etc) should be fine, and you shouldn't have any SERIOUS problems with other woods either. I've noticed that finishes can become discolored from a constant heat source.

-i have the UTH installed under a dimmer switch with the heat lamp, what should i do at night. unplugg the UTH or the heat lamp?

The lamp...is it a HEAT lamp, or just a lamp? Incandescent bulbs are best and cheapest (IMO), as long as they are less than 60Watt.

-can snakes see in pitch black?

If there is absolutely no light, they will not be able to see. I have read in scientific journals (I could get you the reference info if you like, though the articles were rather technical) that bp's have an inordinately high number of cones and rods in their eye anatomy, suggesting that they can see quite well in what we might consider to be pitch black. It makes sense, I mean they ARE nocturnal after all!

-how do i measure the ground temp (dont want to burn his belly)?

I use a temp gun, which I got from radio shack (at the suggestion of several forum regulars!). It gives a quick and accurate reading. Before that, I had a regular "dial"-type thermometer sitting on the floor of the tank. It was pretty accurate as well, but I like the digital read-out and fast response of the gun.

-humidity at warm side is 60%, what should it be the other end at?

AMBIENT humidity should be 60%, meaning that should be the overall level in the tank. Some areas will be higher, some lower, but if you hover in the 55-70% range you should be fine.

-you guys have been a great help, thx ...

I can't speak for everyone, but it's a pleasure!