Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
If given a temp gradient in a big enough tank. Anyone prefer overhead heat (daylight incandescent bulb placed on screen top) over UTH?
I was thinking of overhead heat during day and turning on the UTH at night as the room temp is 68 or might just use overhead heat day bulb/red bulb at night.
Any suggestions,input? I ask because during the summer I didnt use any extra heat (2 butlers garter snakes)and room was well lit by in direct sunlight but now getting cooler.
Thanks

>> I was thinking of overhead heat during day and turning on the UTH at night as the room temp is 68 or might just use overhead heat day bulb/red bulb at night.

If it was me, I'd just use daytime overhead heat and not bother with UTH or red bulb and save the money. Or, stop feeding and put the enclosure in the garage for the winter.

I use an incandescent in a reflector dome on one end of my T.e.vagrans tank and that's it--it turns off at night and the heat dissipates more or less naturally. Granted, my house is in the 70s, and in the snake's closet it's in the high 70s-80s during the day, but I've lived elsewhere and the ambient temps weren't as hot but the snake was fine there too. 2 months or so in the winter are usually spent in the garage, no food but fresh water--temps in the low 50s.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

While I prefer overhead heating, UTH's are so convienent. I use overhead heat once a naturalistic vivaria is constructed, but often use under tank heating in simplier, cheaper enclosures.

Ian

Posted by: joeysgreen at Sat Oct 15 03:48:39 2005 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

While I prefer overhead heating, UTH's are so convienent. I use overhead heat once a naturalistic vivaria is constructed, but often use under tank heating in simplier, cheaper enclosures.

Ian

Oh yes UTH are convenient and I think for some snakes like kings some milks better than overhead heat but perhaps not for garters.
Going to just use overhead heat as some here seem to prefer it. It is nice to adding a few potted plants to make tank look nicer.
Thanks

If it was me, I'd just use daytime overhead heat and not bother with UTH or red bulb and save the money. Or, stop feeding and put the enclosure in the garage for the winter.

Thanks. Going to stick with the overhead heat as it warms air temp and since like you I use it on one end of tank it also provides warmer area and cooler area on one side of tank (30 gallon long).
I dont want to hibernate them as just pets not a breeder(2 butlers garters unsexed but think by size a pair) so will just use overhead heat all winter till summer comes.
Though I cant say for sure they seem to enjoy "basking". I was leaning towards overhead heat but figured good idea to ask keepers that have had garters for awhile.
Thanks

>> I dont want to hibernate them as just pets not a breeder(2 butlers garters unsexed but think by size a pair) so will just use overhead heat all winter till summer comes.

I don't breed my solitary male either, just hibernate because sometimes it seems to stimulate his appetite in the spring (he's gone almost a year without food in the past--I figure if he's not going to eat anyway, I might as well keep the temps low).

>> Though I cant say for sure they seem to enjoy "basking".

Many garters tend to be more diurnal than kings and milks, but I find them at night too (road-cruising). My captive is sometimes seen basking, especially after a large meal.

I was leaning towards overhead heat but figured good idea to ask keepers that have had garters for awhile.

I've had mine for 10 years now, but it's the only snake I've kept, and there are folks here much more conversant in garter husbandry who may swear up and down by UTHs for all I know.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet