Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I started off by using a 100 watt ZooMed basking light to provide a hot spot. The temp read 96 degrees. I was told that was too warm and to use a 100 watt house bulb. So I switched to that bulb, took a reading of the temp and the hot spot, then, was saying 100 degrees. To me, that was definately too hot. This morning I switched, again, to a 60 watt bulb and the temp says 80 degrees. This is making me angry that I cannot get the temp to where it needs to be. On average the house stays in the upper 70s to low 80s. I have a temp strip on the outside of the tank and it says 80-82 degrees. The tank is a 40 gallon. It measures 36"l x 16"h x 13"w. I'm using a screen top for cover with garbage bags over either end to help keep humidity up. Directly under the hot spot i have a small cup filled with moss and water to also help with humidity. That in itself wil be a challenge as this house averages 35-45% humidity and it gets worse in the winter. Also, what to use as a heat source at night? Or do I need it? Any help would greatly be appreciated. Macroclemys

Hey Steven. Glad to see you taking the proper steps to care for your new conda. As far as the light goes I cant really help you much. I dont use basking lamps. I will say however that my condas rarely venture much over 82F. Occasionally, after a large meal, she might seek out a few degrees warmer places but very rarely. I would say that a temp spot of 90F should be the very warmest needed and I think that is kind've high as well. Always remember that condas prefer cooler temps than most tropical boids. My female has a temp gradient from 80F to 85F. I've tried switching the side the water tub is on and she always stays on the cooler side. Just make sure you have at least those temps in your cage and you should be fine.
Also I would like to add that a lot of people are excited when getting a new arrival and handle and rearrange cages and stuff a lot during the first week. This is not the best idea for a new conda. It will only lenghten the acclimation time. I am not saying that you are doing this but since a lot of people have gotten condas recently I just thought it should be said.
Find the temps I stated and then just leave it be for a week. Occasional 5 min. handling but maybe every other day or so.
Then after that first week and hopefully a good feeding you should have a very acclimated and tolerant snake.

Arik

Hey steve!!! ok my conda likes it about 85-90 im not saying arik is doing a bad thing ( i hate to admit it but he is a good keeper) just all condas are different. for getting the temp up use a 75 watt house bulb. i only use heat lamps so i got a lot of knowledge on how to get temps and humidity just right. also arik made a great point at the end about the first week all you want to do is move stuff around and handel the snake. its just not a good idea

also on a side note i almost cought the last loose house gecko today. he was in my bird cage and was pritty fat and had regrew his tail.

CrazyCody

I am going to have to agree that arik is doing everything about perfectly there. I would ditch the light if I were you (or stick with the 50 watt or even get a fourescent light for light a very very little heat). Heat tape is a much better way to heat a tank and it is easy for a snake to warm up since it is on the belly. I keep a lot of snakes and none of them do I use overhead light. Even my tree boas have a UTH (I keep amazons and they go to the ground much much more than an emerald). you can get a heat tape pad perfect for your tank at a show for about 15$.