need help with heat

[Joe]

Hi,

I am building an enclosure for the red-tailed boa I recently got from my son. The cage is wood, 2 x 4 x 2 with plexiglass doors. I don't know how to put the heating pad down on the floor of the cage so he will be able to lay on it. I thought about getting a piece of metal (like a cooke sheet) and putting the pad on it and then put the astro turf over this. I am concerned it will burn him this way. What do you think?

I saw mention of heat rope and ceramic heat emitters. Are these something to use instead of or in addition to the heating pad for the snake? This is my first snake and I have been reading everything I can about them, but it just gives the basics.

One more question, should I have a light on him for heat, one of the red ones?

The snake is about 3-4' long and ate a med. dead rat on Wednesday. He seems ok. I do want to make him comfortable.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Joe

[danktat]

The heat mat shouldn't be IN the acutal cage. They are referred to as "under tank heaters" because they are generally meant to be mounted UNDER the cage as to allow for the bottom to disperse some of the heat. Depending on the thickness of your wood you may still be able to use this meathod. You could also go with a radient heat pannel. It works well for bringing up the ambient temps in an enclosure and is meant to be placed INSIDE the cage. Heat lights are not really needed as a snake doesn't need UV to thrive. You can use them if you choosed to as a simple heat source, however. The same with the ceramic heat emeters.

The main idea is to see what is going to work best out of the available options for heating for the individual cage you are building. My AP's use heat rope to where as my glass cages have uth's (heat pads).

Good luck on the build and let us know how it goes

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater: A commonly used method of heating a reptile enclosure.

	Animal Plastics

[danktat]

Welcome to the forums by the way.

[Joe]

Thank you Danktat,

I finished the cage today. I put a red heat light in where he/she can't reach it (I hope). I know the uth go under the tank, but didn't know how else to warm the cage in a gradiant like suggested. This is my first snake, I have lizards. I had to take it suddenly, so I have been in a rush to get out of the small tank I had it in and into the large one I built.

Can I ask another dumb question, how does the heat rope attach? I have never used it, I think I have seen it at a reptile show, but wasn't really paying any attention.

BTW, the snake is doing well, when I take him out he is curious and wants to explore. Doesn't show any signs of wanting to run away. He usually wraps his tail around my foot or the arm of the chair and then explores the area with the rest of himself.

Actually don't know if it is a male or female. Have tried looking, but still can't tell yet.

Joe

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater: A commonly used method of heating a reptile enclosure.

[danktat]

heat rope is generally routed into the plastic or wood of the cage. A bit more of an involved process but I love it myself. Looks like this ....

[BrianV]

ive never used a heat rope do u suggest them over uth?

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater: A commonly used method of heating a reptile enclosure.

[danktat]

I use both depending on the type of cage....I use Animal Plastics caging for my larger cages specifically because they have that option.

[BrianV]

o ok thanx

[HotWheels301]

Your enclosure seems alot like mine. I built it 5 yrs. ago. 4' long, 2 ' wide and 2' tall. I have plexiglass sliding doors and a plexiglass bottom. I have a repti-stat automatic controller that I have a 150 w. heat emitter plugged into. I have an UTH under the bottom. I have a 24" repti-sun flourescent in the top for light. The temp stays very consistent. I've replaced the emitter once in 5 yrs. I kept 2 ball pythons in it, but I'm getting ready to purchase a redtail, baby or juvy. Ray

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater: A commonly used method of heating a reptile enclosure.