Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am currently building a cage for a soon to arrive Indigo and I'd just like to hear everyones opinion on what heating method everyone uses?

I've heard many people say that their Indigo's prefer to bask over belly heat and in my cage design I am incorperating both methods. My cage is 5ft long X 2ft deep X 3ft high and I've put a false bottom in to provide a space for "underground" hides at each end of the enclosure. I have holes going through the bottom into rubbermaid's which are accessible through a door at the front of the cage. I plan on using heat tape under the bin on the hot side and I was going to also use a low wattage basking light on the same end of the enclosure. I'm not worried about too much heat since the false bottom seperates the two heating methods and they will both be controlled by a rheostat. My main question is....is the basking light really neccessary? or will the heat tape be sufficient? There is also a flourescent fixture to light the main cage which obviously doesn't produce heat only light.

Any help is appreciated!!

I wouldn't agonize too much over it. I start my hatchlings off in rack systems which are heated by thermostatically controlled flex watt heat tape. Once they are young adults, they go into their permanent homes (Visions or Neodeshas that measure 6' x 3'). These cages are heated by Pro Products Radiant Heat Panels (neodeshas) OR regular incadescent bulbs for my visions. My adults seem to like basking UNDER a heat lamp for a few hours a day which also provides light into the cage (but my room also has large windows that receive indirect ambient light). TEMPERATURES are the most important thing and as long as you have a gradient that ranges from the low 70's to low 80's and a basking spot that reaches the mid to upper 80's during the day (but only in a SMALL area of the cage) and a night drop to the mid to upper 60's/70 (maintenance only; if you are going to breed, this will change somewhat), you'll be fine.

>>I am currently building a cage for a soon to arrive Indigo and I'd just like to hear everyones opinion on what heating method everyone uses?
>>
>>I've heard many people say that their Indigo's prefer to bask over belly heat and in my cage design I am incorperating both methods. My cage is 5ft long X 2ft deep X 3ft high and I've put a false bottom in to provide a space for "underground" hides at each end of the enclosure. I have holes going through the bottom into rubbermaid's which are accessible through a door at the front of the cage. I plan on using heat tape under the bin on the hot side and I was going to also use a low wattage basking light on the same end of the enclosure. I'm not worried about too much heat since the false bottom seperates the two heating methods and they will both be controlled by a rheostat. My main question is....is the basking light really neccessary? or will the heat tape be sufficient? There is also a flourescent fixture to light the main cage which obviously doesn't produce heat only light.
>>
>>Any help is appreciated!!
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I ended up going the combo route and installed the basking light to go along with the heat tape on the one side. Everyone I've talked to and everything I've read seems to point towards providing a basking spot so I'm not going to argue with the experts. Besides the more I can see these guys out instead of in a hide the better.

Here's a pic of the cage......alomst done!!

Here's a pic of the start of this cage, basically just the frame but it shows the "underground" hides.

Looks like a great design. Just make sure you thoroughly seal the wood, otherwise, you will have one stinky cage before long. I love the use of the underground sweater boxes; great way to maximize space. Keep us posted. Rob

>>Here's a pic of the start of this cage, basically just the frame but it shows the "underground" hides.
>>
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

>>Just make sure you thoroughly seal the wood, otherwise, you will have one stinky cage before long.
>>

Ohh yes, there are enough coats on there that it could probably hold water, LOL!!

Your set up looks great. It's admirable that you will keep a one to a few snakes under optimal conditions instead of too many under fair to poor conditions. Indigos really do have quality of life issues to be aware of in captivity. Goos luck when he/she finds the hardest spots for cleaning in which to defecate.

>>Good luck when he/she finds the hardest spots for cleaning in which to defecate.
>>

LOL......I'm up to the challenge!!!