Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok so i called a large breeder of the species along with the breeder i bought them from and i have never used heat tape before so they both said heat tapes fine as long as i can achieve the right temps with it...now heres my question they both said keep the temps around 78-84 and i read on a website that somebody keeps a hot spot of 90...so i'm confused did they mean set the heat tape to stay at 78-84 or did they mean make a hot spot of like 90 on the heat tape but keep the air temps between 78-84? like i said i just ordered my heat tape and just got a little Alife thermostat thats the on/off type nothin fancy but will do the job and have plastic tubs on the heat tape another question is that i have the thermostats and thermometer probes in the tub taped to the plastic under the bedding this tub that both of them are taped in i dont use that tub so i have no concern of water spilling on the probes or anything i just cant seem to find any useful info on where to put the probes and what temps i need for gabbys and rhinos anything helps thanks!

Gabbys and rhinos like it cool. If yo have a spot much over 80 they won't go there

AGREED.

so setting it to 84 may even be to high? let alone 90? so i should just keep it between 78-82 maybe? and thats what i measure the tub at right? not the top of the bedding right? like i said i have the probe at the bottom of the tub touching the plastic not on top of the bedding and not directly on the heat tape is that the correct way?

The best way is to use a temp gun and point it where the snake sits.

Lesson learned for others in the same situation....before you bring the snake into your collection, make sure you have the environment set up properly. Okay, lecture over. I agree with the other comments here.

The most importnt thing with these two species is AMBIENT temps. We provide thermal gradients using Pro Product radiant heat panels attached to thermostats so that if the snakes want to warm up in the mid to upper 80's they have that opportunity but only in a SMALL portion of t heir cage (and despite being "cool" hots, they will seek out warmer thermalclines while digesting prey for short spurts). But, at the same time, they can cool down to the lower 70's if they wish (and they also seek these out during the week). Night temps are set to drop naturally using a good thermostat. It doesn't matter what temps you set your heat tape as long as the ambient temps are suitable (w/out causing searing hot substrate which could lead to thermal burns). The heat tape temps will really depend on things like where its located, type of substrate, wattage, etc. There are many variables but the most important thing is to have the proper temps set up before you put an animal into its habitat.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
www.wildlifediscoverycenter.org

>>The best way is to use a temp gun and point it where the snake sits.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I agree. Mine have warm spots but almost never go to them. Even after a meal. Of course I still have to lead the dummy to water. Maybe the the lazy bugger just don't feel the trip across the cage is worth it.