Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok well my heat pad covers 1/3 of the 55 gallon tank. It is under the tank. The substrate and the glass seperate the pad from my snake. A hide covers the whole area in which the pad covers, so basically if he wants to bask he goes into his hide. The spot is not hot too the touch and is only warm and I could not see how it could harm him, but several thermometers tell me that it is about 100 degrees in there yet he spends a lot of time there and it does not seem to hot. Is this too hot? Should I lower it some how? If so how can I do this. It really does not seem to bother him, and it has been like this for 6 weeks since I got him.
Thanks in advance
Rob

Hmm, you've only had him for 6 weeks? Is he in the hidespot for security or for the heat? This sounds like a recipe for disaster. While temps of 100F are okay if the proper range is offered, if the snake only sees the hidespot as an option then you don't have a functional temp gradient. Turn it down to the high 80's if the snake remains there only (thickening the substrate, turning to a lower setting, adding a thermostat). More importantly, add a hidespot on the cool end of the tank and off some cover inbetween. Place the snake at a different location every time you place back in the cage. Handle infrequently until the snake is comfortable.

He is very used to me, He is very tame and comfortable with handling. He is out of the hide a lot just sittingon top of it or sometimes on the cool side. I do not think he goes in there just for security.

First try to understand that 100 degrees is just a touch above your body temp (98.6)It will barely be noticable to you. It WILL overheat a reptile if left that way for long. Hot spot for a burm should be 92-94.

Quig

What is there air temps? Ambient temps are what's more important than belly temps. If your basking spot is 100* as you say, but the ambient air temps are too low,then of course your burm is gonna stay over the hot spot for lack of any other warm spots.
Get a temp gun, and check the actual temps at various spots.
And get the air temps to the low 90's at the hot side.
Low 80's at the cool.

The ambient temps in the cage are about 83 all the time. In the hide is about 100. On top of the hide is about 87. So he has a good temp range. The past 24 hrs. He has spent on top of the hide. Like I said before he often after meals and other times stay in the hide for a while and never seems to mind the high temps. So basically should I lower it or do you think he likes it how it is and would rather it stay that way?
Rob

Thanks for all the help guys

I know I'm nit-picking now, but you said that air temp is more important, but then you recommend a temp gun; that measures surface temperatures.

First, an aquarium is not what I would consider to be acceptable housing for a powerful constrictor like a burm. In time, it will most likely figure out a way to get out (and don't underestimate the power of a burm....rocks/weights will NOT do the trick).

Second, I am concerned about your heating approach...kind of a shot gun method. You use the word "seems" which tells me you are guessing quite a bit when it comes to temps. A heat pad should be connected to a quality thermostat so that there is no guessing. If the heat pad is inside the cage, you are asking for BIG trouble (most likely, severe thermal burns).

My recommendation would be to purchase a cage made specifically for reptiles like a Vision, Neodesha, Boaphile or Crescent Moon Creations; all are great cages and can be easily heated with heat tape, heat panels, heat pads, and even incadescent bulbs.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Ok well my heat pad covers 1/3 of the 55 gallon tank. It is under the tank. The substrate and the glass seperate the pad from my snake. A hide covers the whole area in which the pad covers, so basically if he wants to bask he goes into his hide. The spot is not hot too the touch and is only warm and I could not see how it could harm him, but several thermometers tell me that it is about 100 degrees in there yet he spends a lot of time there and it does not seem to hot. Is this too hot? Should I lower it some how? If so how can I do this. It really does not seem to bother him, and it has been like this for 6 weeks since I got him.
>>Thanks in advance
>>Rob
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Mr Carmichael...
do the questions from crazy4burm123 seem a bit too familiar?
Hmmm...

I am planning to build my own cage out of plywood once he outgrows this one at about 5 ft. I do not guess my temps i have a digital thermometer at the cool end which usually reads 82-84 and another digital in the hot hide usually reading at 98-100. I just recently added a second hide to the cool end about 5 mins ago. Maybe that will help see if he likes the hot temps better or just the security. One thing that I am curious about is the thermostat. If the heat pad goes above 90 wont it just keep shutting off and turning on constantly all the time? Isn't that bad? Also I do not want to lower the hot temp if he likes it because Like I said I think he enjoys the high temps in there.
Thanks for all the help and advise.
Rob

Ok his new cage is set up as well as the correct temps. There is now 2 hides ( 1 on each side) in his cage. A log on top of the hot hide for shedding. And his water dish. The hot hides temp is still about 98. The cool side is aroun d80-83 and on top of the hot hide is 86. So this is a good temp gradient right? And a more secure set up? Sorry for the big debate I am just trying to make everything perfect lol I luv the lil guy
Rob

Ps: Whats the closest reptile show to hpiladelphia, PA I really would like to attend one.

if you can maintain those temps you'll be in good shape but like I said, make or purchase a cage ASAP because no matter how ideal the temps are, a glass tank is just not a suitable cage for a burm of just about any size (unless its a hatchling). Rob

>>Ok his new cage is set up as well as the correct temps. There is now 2 hides ( 1 on each side) in his cage. A log on top of the hot hide for shedding. And his water dish. The hot hides temp is still about 98. The cool side is aroun d80-83 and on top of the hot hide is 86. So this is a good temp gradient right? And a more secure set up? Sorry for the big debate I am just trying to make everything perfect lol I luv the lil guy
>>Rob
>>
>>Ps: Whats the closest reptile show to hpiladelphia, PA I really would like to attend one.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

np

why wouldnt a a glass cage be good enough because my uncle puts in windows and doors and he said i think he said half an inch could hold a burm full grown that weighs about 65lbs a male because ours is
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1.1 Morelia Spilota Cheyni - Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.0 Albino Burmese Python