Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all. I have just got a Columbian Boa this past weekend. And this is my first snake in many years. I'm just wondering what type of heat source I need for the snake. I went out and bought a heat rock but I've been told recently that I shouldn't use a heat rock. Also I have a UV florescent light. Should I go back to the store and return both of these things and get a basking light and possibly a under the tank heating pad? Also with the heating pad for tanks I read on the package that it should have some sort of opening to it so it wouldn't get but so hot. Well how would I go about fixing that? The tank I have sits on a table currently and the bottom is completely on the table. So the heating pad would be completely enclosed under the tank. By the way I keep my place air conditioned most of the time during the summer. Plus if you suggest I get both do I put the basking lap on the other side of the tank from the heating pad or on the same side? Any ways thanks for any help you can offer.

dont use a heat rock it could do serious damage too your animal. lift up your viv, by putting small strips of wood or metal so you can slide your heat pad underneath, just make sure fresh air can get to it.

Boas do best with an air temp in the 78-82 degree range, and then a basking spot (whether heat pad or another lamp) of up to 85-88 deg.

I would use a ceramic or red heat lamp on one end controlled by a thermostat, and maybe a heat pad in the middle of the cage controlled by a lamp dimmer. Watch the temps closely, and avoid cold air from the air conditioner blowing down into the cage. I would cover part of the screen top with a piece of styrene foam to help maintain temps.

You can get an inexpensive thermostat from Big Apple Herp supply for around $40.00 - the ON/OFF analog type. You can get a dimmer that you plug the heater into from Home Depot (tabletop dimmer.)

I hate to be the one to scold, but you should have gotten your cage ready first. OK there, its been said. Boas come from warm, humid climates and don't do well in cool drafty conditions.

I would recommend returning the heat rock & UV light and purchasing a basking lamp. Since this is a tank (can I assume a 10 gallon or is it larger?), I would start with just a basking lamp. It is easy to overheat a 10 or 20 gallon tank and thus its inhabitant. Place the basking lamp to one side and make sure you have a thermometer near the level the snake is on (i.e. near the bottom of the tank). I personally use regular incandescent bulbs in my heat lamps and it's cheaper to start out that way to determine what wattage bulb you need to get the proper temps (be sure to try a couple of different wattages until you get it near where it should be). If you want to use the reptile light bulbs, still start with the regular bulbs until you determine what wattage you need. A heat lamp will show temps near it much higher than on the level the snake can actually reach. You should also have a thermometer on the cool end of the tank, to be able to check the temperature range for the snake's thermoregulation (10 gallon tanks will have little thermogradient). I also like to provide basking shelves for my snakes under their lamps. I just use the vinyl coated metal racks sold in the Housewares department of WalMart (they're used for stacking plates on in cabinets or other such uses). However, be sure the shelf (if you go that route) is still a few inches under the light, too close to the bulb and the snake can burn itself.

If you go the route of a heat pad, a couple of small pieces of wood under the ends of the tank will lift it enough for air to circulate. Place the heat pad at one end of the tank and get a decent thermostat (Big Apple has a couple of good ones for not a lot of money) to keep the pad from overheating. Then cover about 2/3 of the tank's screen lid with a piece of plexi-glass (you can substitute newspaper, a board, whatever) to help hold the heat in and cut back on the drafts from the air conditioner. Personally, I prefer heat lamps though I do have a tub setup heated solely with flexwatt and a Helix thermostat.

Good luck whichever way you go!
Raven