Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, I went out and got the two digital temps so I can put them right in the substrate and get an accurate temp. Now, my cage is set up like the guy at the store told me to: Basking light on end with water bowl, undertank heater on end with night bulb. My basking area was upper 80's (88, 89) but my cool end (with the undertank heater) was 92! (the wall temp said low 80)

So, I turned off the undertank heater and will see what the temp falls to now. The question I have is: won't it fall to room temp, which is 70's now, but 68 in the winter. What do I do then to raise the temp only 5-7 degrees?

Once I get the temp correct, I will offer a fresh killed mouse and see what happens.

If anyone else has any ideas, please let me know.

Thanks,
Karen

Not sure what size you had used but a 20 long works well for Dumerils up to 3 feet. Two thermometers are a good idea. I would still use your undertank heater, on the same end as the basking lamp. If it gets above 90(surface temp of UTH) during the day buy a rheostat(about $20) to control the output of the UTH. The bulb in the lamp should probably be around 75 watts, put it on a timer that runs for 12 hours a day. If it's getting too cold at night, below 72, use a night basking lamp as well, but keep wattage low, around 50. Have the water dish on the cool end. Try to arrange for two hiding areas- one on the cool end, one on the warm end. If that won't do, provide a hide near the warm end and supply 3-4 inches of substrate, this will effectively make the entire floor space available as Dumerils like to burrow. This is the set-up I've used for 4 plus years with growing Dumerils and it has worked well for me. It should provide the right heat gradient, day-time air temp 78-86, night-time air temp 72-78, hot spot 90. Even though Dumerils don't enjoy a lot of heat it should still be provided, but I think you'll find that they prefer the low 80's for the most part. I think you had said that you've been feeding thawed rats of appropreate size(original question?). You really don't have to swich to mice if you don't want to. What works well for me is I rub the rat(the shop folks can arrange this) on the mouses water bottle(male rats pee on them), this new scent will entice almost all types of snake to accept the relatively less stinky rat.
Good Luck-
Matt Schubarth
Pet Nebula
2100 Stephens #116
Missoula, Montana 59801
406 541 9929

Karen, it sounds like your dumerils is eating, but only one mouse a month. From what you say it seems he is not crazy about f/t mice or rats. Why not offer him a fresh killed mouse. I would kill the mouse
and then place it in his cage and then turn out the lights for the night. check it in the morning and see. This has worked for some shy snakes or snakes that are feeling insecure. I hope this helps.

Put the substrate heater and the basking light on the same side of the tank. Hook them up to a thermostate (buy one at www.bigappleherp.com for about 30 bucks). Set the thermostat to the temp you want the heaters to shut off at. Example: If it is set at 88F it will shut off when the temp. reaches 89F and kick back on when it drops to 87F. Placing the UTH on the cool side negates the nature a temperature gradient (Warmer on one side, cooler on the other). The guy at the pet store sold you more than you need. The "night bulb" is ascinine. Be careful with those under tank heaters (UTH), they can get remarkably hot when used without a thermostat. Thermostat, thermostat, thermostat...oh, and get a thermostat...

Good luck, Chris O

>>OK, I went out and got the two digital temps so I can put them right in the substrate and get an accurate temp. Now, my cage is set up like the guy at the store told me to: Basking light on end with water bowl, undertank heater on end with night bulb. My basking area was upper 80's (88, 89) but my cool end (with the undertank heater) was 92! (the wall temp said low 80)
>>
>>So, I turned off the undertank heater and will see what the temp falls to now. The question I have is: won't it fall to room temp, which is 70's now, but 68 in the winter. What do I do then to raise the temp only 5-7 degrees?
>>
>>Once I get the temp correct, I will offer a fresh killed mouse and see what happens.
>>
>>If anyone else has any ideas, please let me know.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Karen

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"Snakes are icky."