Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is my first ATB so I would like some comments on my setup if anyone has an opinion. The ambient on the thermometer in the middle of the tank is 75*f and the humidity stays between 60-80%. I have a variety of hides and moss all over the tank. There is a very small under tank heater on one end and a heat lamp directly above it with a variety of perching locations. I have a thermometer in the upper corner on the hot end and it reads 80*f though I assume the perch under the light is a bit higher than that. I put moss on the perches so Steve can hide if he wants to. I'm calling it Steve though I have no clue as to the sex.

What watt lamp are you using and what kind, and is that a 10 1/2" holder on top? Is it controlled with a thermostat? How big is your amazon? I can't see it, is it a baby? yearling? It is a nice set up, I just want to know the details before I can offer any advice. Joe

What you want is a hot spot under the lamp of around 90 degrees, and a daytime ambient cage temperature of about 84-86 degrees, dropping the cage temp at night 5-10 degrees. Feeding in the evening after the temps drop will get the best feeding response. Your amazon will spend most of its time on the ground in a hide. Its a good idea to have hides on both the warm and cool ends of the cage. The humidity you have going is fine. The only time you really want it wet is when the snake is in shed. Between sheds a little misting is O.K., but not necessary.

The snake is about 18-20 inches in length. The bulb is a 23 wat compact florescent. It was placed about 1/2 inch from the top of the glass lid. The perch directly below it was around 88-89*f. I made another lid with a screen opening so more heat can get through in an attempt to bring the ambient temp up a bit. I have no thermostat.

I also have a ceramic heater I can use in stead of the light. here are some pics of the snake and set up.

If you use the ceramic heater you need to control it with a thermostat. The bulb you have now is O.K. with the 89 degree hotspot. You can cover some of the top with plastic or something to increase the ambient temp if you need to. When I said 84-86 degrees ambient, the cool end doesn't have to hit that. What you did to open the top a little to increase the heat should be enough. Its a young snake, last year or the year before from the size. As long as its eating and defecating you're good. If you can get away without having to use a thermostat and ceramic heater that's good too. Amazons are great! I produced my first litter of amazons in 2001 from a big female...26 large healthy babies!(included one runt that died)....Good Luck!

thanks for your help. I have had him for all of 5 days so i don't know about eating or pooping yet but I got him from LLL reptiles booth so I'm betting hes in good shape. Ill feed him tonight and see whats up. He is active/hunting at night and moving around to thermoregulate during the day so I'm sure he will be ready to eat.