Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm mainly concerned as to how to get the right temps in the bottom portion of the cage as I'm assuming that the top part of the cage can be heated by an overhead light.

Also, I've seen some pics of cages with shelves - can they walk on such smooth surfaces or is there something that needs to be done to make it easier for them to walk on?

I've also seen some cages with humidifiers inside using what I believe is pvc to funnel the mist to the top of the cage - would this work with a cage that as a screen top? Any tips/advice on how to do this would be appreciated.

Anyone ever tried (or any thoughts on) hanging a thick fishing net for a PTS to climb on?

Thank you!
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Kelly you can use a thermostat controlled heat pad on the bottom. IMO misting systems are more trouble then theyre worth.
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That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure a heat pad on the bottom would radiate heat up high enough to reach where the heat lamp wouldn't?
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I'm not an an expert on them, but I'd think if you had heat on the top, AND heat on the bottom, if both heat sources didn't quite reach the middle you'd still be in good shape as the animal can climb up or down for heat, and still have a little bit of a gradient in the middle.

I have a colony of 1:3:1 PTS in a 5 foot high enlosure heated at the top by a 100watt spot bulb with a large reflector, and a 2 foot bar heater fitted 18 inches up from the bottom of the cage. The bar heater is protected by a quarter inch mesh and a 6" shelf is mounted above it. Both the spot bulb and the bar heater are controlled via thermostats mounted externally, with the sensors being passed through holes drilled in the cage structure.
The floor is covered with approximately 2 inches of orchid bark which is kept damp and a large water bowl is positioned a the base of the main branch. I have two other shelves in the enclosure, one sited about one foot below and to the left of the centrally fitted spot bulb, to hold the nesting box for the colony.Another shelf is sited on the opposite side of the enclosure about 2 foot from the bottom of the cage, and this holds the food 'plate'.
The inside of the enclosure is 'busy' with numerous branches all at different levels.
Hope this helps, Eric

Please tell me you have pics to post? I would love to see them.

Do you have any kind of misting system, humidifier, etc?
Is your top, sides or door screen?

I'm starting to wonder if I should make the door all screen instead of the top and hopefully that will keep humidity from dropping too much.

Thank you for your reply!
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My enclosure is all wood construction with three pairs of sliding glass doors to allow me access to the top, middle or bottom sections without fear of letting the humidity or temperature within the enclosure drop. At the bottom right and top left of the enclosure, I have baffled ventilators to enable me to control the airflow through the enclosure and these also help maintain the humidity.
The set-up that I am using seems to be working well; all the animals are in excellent condition and breeding. The latest addition was born on November 29th '04. Eric

Hi,
You should really post some pictures of your new addition, and for that matter, your whole circulus. jrbl

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0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

You might want to approach this not from increasing the humidity in the enclosure (Which with a mesh top is a challenge indeed) but (Depending on your set-up and size of your room ) increase the humidity of your room. One way is to devide off the room with two by fours attached with plastic sheeting. A section can be made with vertical strips (similar to those used to enter a walk-in freezer).

Tane

Thank you - unfortunately this is not an option. Not only because of the size/layout of my room, but also because I have so many other herps which must have low humidity. I would certainly do it otherwise.

I've seen some custom cages that utilize the humidifier inside the cage and an all screen top - I'm wondering how they work for those who use them?
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1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
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1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

I pet sit for a couple of Iguanas that have screen topped enclosures with humidifiers and it actually holds more humidity than you think. You just have to play with the timer on the humidifier and watch your gauges to keep the humidity where you want it. They have very large enclosures and use a human humidifier from Walgreens (~$30.00).
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Stacey

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1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"