Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I think I've decided to go with your recommendations and start with a leucy TX rat. I found a very nice animal at the All-Ohio on Saturday that I'm thinking about purchasing.

I have a cage nearly ready - I've had the equipment working for about a week and I've been tweaking things and experimenting with different temperatures. It's a standard 29 gallon aquarium with a glass lid (screen lid is in the mail and will be placed underneath to allow ventilation) - it measures 30" x 12" x 18". I understand that a TX rat will outgrow the enclosure, and I'm prepared to upgrade as necessary.

The tank is currently being heated with an 11" x 11" Ultratherm under-tank heater, and it brings the ambient temp in the hot side up to about 80 degrees. Unfortunately, it can't seem to raise the temperature any higher by itself. The cool side temp is about 73 degrees. Any ideas on lighting fixtures I should use to raise the ambient temp? I'm looking at a fluorescent strip light or a day/night incandescent combo.

What about the humidity for these guys? My home is very dry (humidity under 20% most of the time). I'm going to use Bed-a-Beast substrate in the tank, but I'm not sure what humidity to aim for.

Thanks again for any help!
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo (Herps coming soon!):

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.1 WC Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides blue Peru)
3.3 Pygmy corydoras (C. pygmaeus)
2.0 Endlers' Livebearers (P. sp. Endlers)

73-80 will be OK. I really don't think you will have to tweak it. As for the humidity...Keep a large bowl of water on hand always, and if there is any trouble with sheds then you might think about raising it. If you can keep much of the tank covered, a large water bowl should suffice. Are you getting the snake from Peter, by chance? I have one of his. Good choice, by the way. Duffy

Thanks for replying! Actually, I wanted to get one from Peter all along, but what do you know - now that I'm ready to purchase one, he unfortunately doesn't have any available. At least, he didn't bring any with him except a really nice subadult.

I still may end up buying one from him if the other deal falls through - in fact, I'd love to get one there in thanks for all the info he's given me since I started researching over a year ago.

Well, if I can't get a leucy from him, I might have to pick up one of his ball pythons later down the line.
-----
::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo (Herps coming soon!):

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.1 WC Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides blue Peru)
3.3 Pygmy corydoras (C. pygmaeus)
2.0 Endlers' Livebearers (P. sp. Endlers)

Good for you, by the way, for doing your research in advance. You came down to ALL great choices. In my opinion, the North American Ratsnakes just can't be beat. Of my 13 snakes, 10 of them are NA Rats. I didn't go to the show yesterday, as I have "just enough" frozen rodents to last me until 2/12. Enjoy! I know you will. Duffy

Good for you, by the way, for doing your research in advance. You came down to ALL great choices. In my opinion, the North American Ratsnakes just can't be beat. Of my 13 snakes, 10 of them are NA Rats. I didn't go to the show yesterday, as I have "just enough" frozen rodents to last me until 2/12. Enjoy! I know you will. Duffy