Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,I just got my male Blood Borneo on Sunday. I have read numerous pages on them going to still ask for this forums advice/experience.

He seems to be doing really well. I brought him home Sunday. Reading and reading it says how warm they like it. Mine is burrowing under his water dish, which is closer to the cool side of his habitat. He initially went into his cave rock and stayed there and the temps there are 83 at surface but with under tank heater probably a little higher underneath surface. That is with basking light on. With it off it’s 77 at surface and likewise a little higher below the cypress bedding. The basking light is 75 watts and his area is 48” long and 16” wide. He has a big water bowl and am wondering is he too hot at that end as he is not going there..Should I lessen bulb wattage? Despite fact I have repeatedly read they like basking area 85-90 degrees??

He normally was using his water bowl daily to soak in like 2 times a day, so far not using mine, I have ceramic bowl and did not make water too deep. I had handled him a lot prior to bringing him home and he is quite active after initially he will curl up in my arms then he gets venturesome. When I put him back in cage he stays out till I disappear off somewhere out of sight and then he goes hide. I know I read a lot about them initially feeling insecure. He is about 16 inches long. So I know putting him in a bigger area may be intimidating but he has good areas to hide and he seems fine, he checked the whole place out but doesn’t seem irritated (only if I wake him up as I did today to check on him and find him).

Also, they are feeding him live mice, as they could not get him to eat thawed. I think he is hungry as he ate last Monday. When do you feed them small Rats? Is one mouse sufficient? How long does it take him to be full-grown?

Okay that is enough questions, sorry but I know someone here can help. I really love this snake, despite the fact everyone where he was thinks he is evil as he was nasty when he came in he has been great with me..No signs of aggression.

Thanks…for any advice you can give,
Karen

Sounds like you have him in a 55 gallon aquarium.16" long, I would switch over to a big rat pup fuzzy or even a small baby rat.Just as long as its not wider than his his body, other wise I'd give him two mice.Try fresh kill as it will be better in the long run and then it will be easier switch over to ft.Temp on the low side is pretty low, I'd bump it up to 80 degrees, you don't want to end up with an RI.Also make sure the uth isn't tooo hot for when he decides to burrow on the heat side he will get burned.Personally I would switch over to a rubbermaid until he's about two to three feet long and then get a nice cage like a boaphile or make one yourself.As for adult hood 5-6 years he'll be of good size.Three years he's ready to breed,sometimes even two years.

Hmmm..ok I removed the UTH as yousaid it seems way too hot even not all the way at the bottom yet. Damn ok and I can warm up the other side. I did not use the tub as I don't know they can't see out and all. I just wanted him to have a good set up as natural as possible. I will try to find rat pups or feed him 2 mice this week. Thanks..see I knew someone could help me here. Thanks so much

Karen

Hey, I said watch out for the uth for being to hot.Put it on a dimmer switch or thermostat.If you remove it how are you going to achieve your ambient temps if its all ready getting in the high 70's?I used to just put them on a good dimmer switch and adjust as the temps cooled or get hotter.

Can you recommend a good dimmer switch or thermostat. I had 2 differn't ones before and they ended up failing.

thanks

Karen

Borrowed a Repti therm thermostat off a friend, this is one i had prior and did not like..malfunctioned soon after having it. So please recommend one you have had that works great.

Karen

Helix.Pricey but you won't have no problems with it.Dimmer switch, I just use the Levitrons costs around $10-$12.