Advice.......again...(did warn you there would be questions)

[mark cope]

I am going to build martha a new viv....(L)800mm x (D)585 x (H)400.......And i have a few questions
Q1. I'm going to build it out of white furniture board ...will it freak the snake out in a white enclosure?
(if not what do you suggest?)
Q2. Bigger enclosure how do I heat it......wooden enclosure ..heat mat would have to go inside viv....would a light be better?
(what light should I use?)
Q3. What is the purpose of a U.V. light?
AS always your help and expertise is always appreciated
Mark and Joe

[guidofatherof5]

Keep in mind what effect moister/water will have on the wood. It will get wet.

#1 The white color shouldn't make any difference.
#2 I heat my wood enclosures with flex-watt heat tape from under the enclosure.
#3 Don't use any. Garters don't need U.V. as a rule.

[infernalis]

No the white will not "freak out" the snake.

I use small wattage basking lights inside wood enclosures, works great.

and like Steve said, UV is not needed.

[EasternGirl]

Mark...sounds like I great plan...I can't give you any help with the building plans...but I'm sure that Chirs, Greg, Steve, and Rod will have lots of advice for you on that. I don't think white will necessarily freak Martha out...but I did want to mention that I have put background scenery paper made for reptiles on the outside of my tanks that gives them the illusion of forest scenery or the like...you can purchase it in rolls or sheets and then cut it to your specifications. I purchased mine online at a reptile store...and my snakes really seem to like it. I'm sure they have it available over there too. It is usually made to tape on the outside of glass tanks...but I'm sure you could cut it and glue it onto the board you are using. Let me see if I have a pic...

Here..you can see it on the back of the enclosure in this pic... 002.jpgAttachment 0


Some people believe that UV helps with the health of the garter...provides vitamin D, helps aid in digestion, increases activity and helps in breeding. I use a UVB bulb for my easterns. I have it set on a timer. But many people don't use them...like Wayne and Steve said, there is nothing to suggest that they are necessary.

[mark cope]

Thanks everyone
I've already got plans
Marnie ....just ordered some backing film
But sorry to keep on what are uv lights for? would Neo benifit from one?.......was thinking of putting small strip light in purely for looking .... it would be high up so martha could not get to it..
Also bonus feature ...Wifey has got the bug ....She has got her eye on an Anery corn snake

[kibakiba]

UV lights are for simulating sunlight. But, garters do not need them at all. Most lizards and such need some sort of UV I believe, though.

[ConcinusMan]

UV lights are for simulating sunlight. But, garters do not need them at all. Most lizards and such need some sort of UV I believe, though.

No, they're not for simulating sunlight exactly. They're for vitamin D3 (needed for absorption of calcium) synthesis. Reptiles, and even people, can synthesize D3 in their skin but UV exposure is needed to accomplish that.

People and snakes can get all the D3 they need from their food and so UV exposure isn't absolutely necessary as long as there is enough D3 in their food. The reason for UV output bulbs is that many lizards, especially desert species, can only get D3 by sythesizing it in their skin. For those species, without UV exposure they cannot get the D3 they need, so they can't absorb calcium, and so they end up with soft bones and other health problems, and ultimately, they'll die.

You can simulate natural daylight for garters without the UV output by using common white or "daylight" florescent bulbs. I would recommend that you use one of those, even if you use and incandescent bulb for heat.

Personally I think it's safer if you use a florescent for light and an undertank heater. I never did see how people could put hot bulbs directly in an enclosure. Every time I've tried that, snakes inevitably get burned, water spashes the bulb and breaks it, and numerous other hassles.

[EasternGirl]

Mark...look at the end of my last post...I edited it and added something about UV lights...I think it was after you read it. Stefan posted a couple of articles a while back about research done on the possible benefits of UV light for garters...anyone know where that thread is?

Cool that you ordered the backing paper...my snakes really like it!

[mark cope]

Thanks again,
one more question....can I use a light bulb socket that you get from the hardware shop or does it have to be a specialist one?
mark

[Natrix]

I'v just used a normal bayonette type angled one, but I think it is probably better to use a ceramic one.