Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

ian14 · I'm new here... Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 15

At the risk of sounding old fashioned, I use bulbs!!! I use a 60W bulb, connected to a dimming thermostat. Underground heat comes from the viv below, as mine are stacked.
I have used this method for all of my North American species, and have NEVER had any problems in the past 20 years of keeping these animals. The bulbs are protected by a guard to prevent the snake from coming into contact with it.

The bulb is on for 12 - 14 hours per day (except when they are hibernating of course!!). If you look at their natural environment, they will not be subjected to temps of 32C 24 hours a day!!

Before people start jumping up and down, I do use slightly different methods for tropical species, and accept that advances in herpetoculture mean that light bulbs are somewhat out of vogue now. However, they work extremely well for me, and I have bred Corns for years and years. An alternative would be a ceramic heating plate, screwed into the roof of the viv, with a light tube for lighting (UV is not really necessary for Corns).

I would also question the temperature. 32C seems extremely high for Corns, given that the accepted temperature needed is in the region of 28C.

Lynne · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:12 pm Post subject:

snakes need belly heat to digest though. and its ok saying cover bulbs with guards, but dont the guards heat up too. i prefer the heat mat on floor. i have always used them this way, but thats just me, other people will prefer bulbs etc. you just have to find the way that suits you cest,
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Lynne · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject:

or even BEST!!! sorry tried to edit but couldnt!!! Laughing

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trunx · I'm new here... Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 15

heat mats r the way to go, i use tubs so mine are outside. the mate made a class thing for his boscs, could work for anything tho. he pinched perspex out of work, he made a basking platform out of it by sticking 2 pieces together with rivets leaving just enough gap for a heatmat to slide between them. ill admit it looks better than it sounds! but there u go.......

Lynne · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:05 pm Post subject:

peaches · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject:

I use alot of heat mats but do prefer bulbs/ceramics - why because it seems much more natural as the sun is in the sky.

Throughout the day it warms the ground, that's where the belly heat is, so placing rock/stone etc in the enclosure can help trap the warmth.

So many ways Laughing

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trunx · I'm new here... Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 15

loxocemus · I've settled in... Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 37

Lynne · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject:

actually, i had a near accident last night. my royals are in tubs, heat mats on outside, all statted. when i went in to check everyone one of the young ones was going mad. when i checked his mat it was roasting. even for me to touch. the actual stat had somehow turned right up. i took him out and re-adjusted the stat, and temp returned to normal. so if anything, i would say when you are checking temps, also check your stat settings too.
snake is fine by the way. but from now on i will be chec king temps etc more than the 3 times a day i do now.
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