Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a basking light on one side of the cage for my Leo. She never uses it, and in Cali it gets pretty warm without hte light, sometimes in the 90's in her cage. Should I just forget the light? or turn it on at night so she keeps a high temp? I'm not sure the exact temp Leo's need, but she doens't seem to ever use the light anyway..she just hides all the time.

Thanks,
Shaun

Do you have an under tank heater? because I dont' use a light whatsoever good luck

I have on another cage which I was using for my Kingsnake who unfortunately died. I don't have good luck with snakes. I had a Red Tailed Boa that contracted a disease during shipping, stopped eating and died. Then I had a Rainbow Boa, which are some amazing animals. He got bit by his food and contracted an infection on his insides and it was too late to save him, probably should have put him to sleep, but I really have a problem doing that..I don't see how it is fair that we can decide for our animals if they can get vet induced suicide, but we can't have doctors do it for our family members who are going to die a painful death. My last snake was a beautiful Cali Kingsnake I named Banana for some strange reason. He refused to eat and died suddenly...really really suddenly. Normally the snakes I have had survive quite a while without food, he didn't.

I don't know if those undercage heaters that stick come off easy and restick. She wouldn't get too hot or anything in her cage would she? I just don't want her to have any problems.

I don't think that she will just put a thermoeter in and if its to hot justgo back to a lower wattage bulb

You need to have a thermostat or rheostat attached to it to prevent it from overheating. Just get a reptile UTH, put it on the bottom of the tank and attach it to a rheostat. No problem.
Actually, as far as the euthanasia thing goes, I know if I had a disease and was in that much pain, I would be begging for death. Euthanasia is really loving practice in the right circumstances...it is better to have them slip off to sleep, than die in a fit of raging pain.

Cleo
1:1 leos (7 eggs cooking)

I had a bad experience recently with that. I rescued an animal from a friend's boyfriends roommate. He didn't take care of it, so she said she was going ot take it, and gave it to me. I had it for less than 2 weeks and one of the cats pried the cage open..tore up its leg to the bone and almost its belly too. I took it to an emergency clinic, and they had to put him to sleep. I cried my eyes out, my mom wanted me to suffocate it so it would die...I couldn't do it. I hate that cat. Its the only cat of three that does this. Anyone want a cat? Sigh. Yeah, I know I could never be a vet, I couldn't stand having to put animals to sleep, it would just take me over the edge.

I wanted to be a vet, but there is one thing I COUL NOT STAND: people who were not taking proper care of their pets (and delaying a much needed vet trip) that come in with a half dead animal and is like "save it". I would flip. Better stick with being an actress!

Cleo
1:1 leos (7 eggs cooking)

yea thats why i dont want to be a vet either. Some people dont deserve pets at all.

dxfgsrg
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Even if your on the right track you will get run over if you just sit there

No, they dont come off easily. Also, it WILL get too hot if not controlled by a rheostat or thermostat.

MacArthur, I though you didnt have a leo yet???
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Josh
My Email

Well, my freind nathan does but I will on saturday

nm

The temps on the warm side should be 88-90 degrees. What size tank do you have, and what wattage is the bulb?? If the cage is already reaching 90, then dont use the light.
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Josh
My Email

I think it is a 40-50 Watt bulb. What about at night? Should the temperature change significantly or should I have an alternate heat sorce. It really doesn't get super cold in Cali at night, but it does get a tad chilly, but her hiding places are probably pretty warm.

You should really have a uth(on at all times). Leos benefit from belly heat much more than they do from basking. Make sure you plug the uth into a rheostat or a thermostat.
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Josh
My Email

Leos are nocturnal so they won't bask. Hoepfully she has heat pad under her tank to keep her warm on cool days and at night. Leos need a floor temp of about 85-90 on one half of their tank for proper digestion.

Cleo
1:1 leos (7 eggs cooking)

I agree with what everybody is telling you. Get rid of the basking light since leos don't bask. They get their heat through their belly. If you are worried that UTH won't stick after a while, try using the heat tape. I really like it but make sure you use a rheostat or a dimmer to monitor the temperature.