Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have tried both a heat mat, and a bulb, he wont go near them, even tried both together no effect..... he stays in the cool side where its 70-72 degrees.
is there something else i can do?

Hi. What temperature is the warm end and is the current heat source controlled by a thermostat?

Most of mine live in the cooler parts of their vivs, only spending any length of time at the warm end when they've just eaten.

the warm side is usually 78.... no i dont have a thermostat but i will get one, but he is doing the same thing you mentioned your snakes do, after eating he goes to the warm side for brief periods.

The warm side should be in the low-mid 80's. I keep mine around 84-85. I adjust the angle position of the light during the day to adjust the temp as needed.

Petsmart sells little round dial stick-on thermometers for $4.99. Have one at each end of the enclosure.

Walt

i have the little thermometer, the temp might rise up to 80, but i have had it adjusted up to that point and he still wouldnt go in the heated side.

78 is a on the low side - you need the warm side in the high 80s. The new Kathy & Bill Love book cites the ideal range as 70 on the cool side to 88 on the warm side.

You probably need to review your heating equipment. If it's only reaching 78 without being controlled by a thermostat, it probably isn't up to the job. What are you currently using?

Also, it's worth trying a different thermometer - it could be giving you incorrect temperature readings, so best to double-check.

here is my set up in detail.... 20 gallon long tank, with 2 thermometers, one in the cool side and one in the heated side.. a humidity guage..... and a zoo med heat mat for a 20 l to 29 gallon tank, everything is brand newjust bought the therometers and hunidity guage 3 weeks ago, just put in a new heat mat last week, as the one that was on the tank was stuck and when it was moved the mat broke, so i bought a new one and attached it to a tile, he has a water dish for soaking, and 2 hides, 1 hide is in the heated side and one is in the cooler side and he alsi had a grape vine as to where he can climb or go under to hide. i also have a basking light with a 40 watt bulb but i only turn it on if the temp is low to bring the temp up and i havent had to do that, the temp is reading at 85

Oh right, well 85 is fine - could do with a couple more degrees up, but nothing majorly wrong.

I was confused by your last post, where you said the warm side is usually 78.

i know i said that wrong, i have so many thermometers im checking each day i got myself confused.
also i noticed that he will go under the aspen and lay near the heat mat, i guess he gets some form of heat from that.

40 W bulb won't do much. You probably need a 75 minimum.

Good luck. Sounds like you're a VERY thoughtful herp owner!

Walt

thank you, i try, usually my animals come before me.
i was using a 40 watt because i was trying to supplement the heat mat..... i guess i can try a 75 and see if that will raise it.

Try using a recessed lighting bulb(spot light) I made cages and only used one of those lights and I could get the temp to 90 .
The cages were for Bearded Dragons but if you use say a 25 or 50 watt bulb you will be fine. These light work better for heating because they are a spot light and if you put a rock under them the rock will get hot and hold the heat long after you turn of the light.
Try one and you will never go back to a normal light or ever buy those expensive lights they sell in the pets stores....
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Cory
Corns
1.0.2 Snow
2.1.2 Anerythiristic
1.3 Normals
0.1 Okeetee
1.1 Bloodreds het Pewter
1.0 Amel
0.1 Banded
0.1 Blizzard
1.0 Milksnake Phase
0.0.13 Normal het Amel
0.0.1 Charcoal
Rats
1.1 Black rats
Lots of mice and rats

you know i havent thought of that, but when i had my collared lizard i used the spot light and i do agree it it works.

>>40 W bulb won't do much. You probably need a 75 minimum.
>>

60 watt does the trick with a 20 gallon long
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

>>the warm side is usually 78.... no i dont have a thermostat but i will get one, but he is doing the same thing you mentioned your snakes do, after eating he goes to the warm side for brief periods.

As long as he is eating and defecating on a regular basis then there is nothing to worry about.
My snakes spend about 95% of the time under their water bowls.
There is warmth if they need it so I don't worry.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

Make sure there's a place to hide on the warm side. Corns are nocturnal and wary of being in the open (even for heat). I just found this out last night on the forum.

Also, before I had a chance to add a hide on the warm side, my daughter's corn burrowed under the paper towel substrate on the warm side. I assume she'll stay there until she needs to cool off.

At first we both thought she escaped somehow, but we finally found her!

Walt

The viv for my corn ranges from 68 to 92 degrees. He seems to like the cooler temps. Even after feeding, I will find him in the 68 to 70 degree temp zone for 12 to 18 hours.