Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
https://www.crepnw.com/

Best ways to heat the enclosure

brosborough Jul 24, 2013 11:47 PM

Well once the Indigo is large enough for a big enclosure I don't see much of an issue with keeping a temp on one side in the 80 degree range and one side at my house room temp of 73-74 degrees, but what about the small enclosures that these guys are housed in for quite some time as they grow up. I'm reading about shoe box size to start with the juveniles and then sweater box size next up. They seem so small and with just something like paper lining the bottom I'm having a hard time of finding something that would not just heat the entire enclosure. And probably heat it too much. What do you experienced guys use for this? Just looking for recommendations on maybe certain heating pads that are relatively small, maybe they don't get too hot, or what kind of regulator you guys use on them to keep these small enclosures at just the right temps.

It doesn't sound like my house temps of 73 degrees would work and I don't have a full blown reptile room which I maintain temps higher than the rest of my house.

Thanks,

Brian

Replies (6)

englishaussie Jul 25, 2013 11:18 AM

For small enclosures, hatchlings / yearlings i use ULTRATHERM heat mats, made in Scotland, very thin flexible under tank heaters that dont get really hot.

For larger enclosures i use heat panels & or Ultratherm heat mats, they produce enough heat to create a warm area in my vision cages.

Whatever heat source i use i always have them on thermostats, Ronco stats are very accurate & i use one on my incubator.

Ultratherm mats & Ronco stats are available at Reptilebasics.com

Hope this helps
Andy.

tbrophy Jul 25, 2013 12:34 PM

For about six months of the year, mine are at room temp. No external heat. They are thriving, eating and digesting well. You probably already know this, but indigos do not tolerate hot conditions at all. Surprising for a snake from Florida, but they prefer cooler temps.

brosborough Jul 25, 2013 02:23 PM

Thanks as well

Lovin2act Jul 26, 2013 10:15 AM

>>For about six months of the year, mine are at room temp. No external heat. They are thriving, eating and digesting well. You probably already know this, but indigos do not tolerate hot conditions at all. Surprising for a snake from Florida, but they prefer cooler temps.

I was just about to say the same thing ha! I provide uth heat for my guys but they stay far away from it pretty much non stop and prefer the cooler side where it stays room temp between upper 60's at night to high 70's or low 80's by day depending on that days temps. They are thriving wonderfully as well, eat and digesting like hungry piggies!

I think I could remove the uth heating completely and they would never notice, but I like it there just in case one night they decide..."Hmmm, I feel a little chilly, think I will go sit on that warm thingy over there for a little while"
-----
~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

englishaussie Jul 26, 2013 03:23 PM

I agree, best to have the heat & not need it that need it & not have it. I keep my ultratherm heat mats on Ronco stats in the low 80`s & most of the time here in AZ they are not even on but during the winter here at 4000ft it provides a nice warm spot for them if they want it.

I am form England & have tried all sorts of heating over the last 37 years herping. I do like the industrial tubular heaters they use for workshops, sheds & garages over there, they do need to be on a stat as they get very hot & need to be behind a protective cage so the snakes dont get burned.

They work really well for larger enclosures but cannot seem to get them in the US. For most applications however the Ultratherm UTH work very well providing a nice mild warmth without any fear of burning.

Andy.

brosborough Jul 25, 2013 02:22 PM

Thank you

Site Tools