My New Snake

[Finalflash50]

The pad was working great, but it only heated up the rock. I want it so that one half of his tank is warm, and one neutral, which is why I got him a heating rock. I'm hoping it will spread heat everywhere around it.

[EasternGirl]

You have to be careful with the rocks though because snakes can burn themselves on the rocks...now some people don't think the snakes will stay on the rocks if they get too hot but they make me very nervous. You may want to consider using a normal 60 watt bulb for additional heat if the pad isn't getting the job done...Richard also said something about getting Sunbeam 40 watt bulbs from dollar stores I believe...said they were perfect basking bulbs and really cheap.

[ConcinusMan]

They're 60 (or 65, I forget) watt, but yeah, for non-albinos they are a perfect basking bulb for 20 gallon long or larger. Just use them at one end of the tank for a basking area around 80-85 degrees F. No need to spend $18 on a reptile basking bulb. They're no better than the $1 bulb.

[Bart]

Just my 5 cents.
I'm keeping ribbon snake (Kleo) with red-sided garter (Izy) and they live along just fine. You shouldn't have any problems. Good luck!

[Finalflash50]

He's not showing much interest in eating, and he's been hiding out lately. I've been keeping it cold in my room, but I don't think he likes that. I have heated it up again, and he started eating and sunning again, so I think he only wants to be active when it's warm. I was only seeing if he was more comfortable when it was warm because I am in an urban area of Michigan, so it's very cold almost all year round, so I just wanted to see if he liked the cold air better than the hot. I'm going out of town for a few days for Christmas, and I need to know, should I just keep his light on the whole time? It's not that bright, and does produce enough heat to even heat the top of his log, let alone cause the tank to overheat, so I think it would be nice to leave on for him. My grandma is going to watch him, but I'm only going to be gone for 14 days. I think I'll just feed Lightning before I leave, and then when I get back so my grandma doesn't have to do anything.

[EasternGirl]

The best thing to do would be to allow your snake the option to be warm or cool as he needs it...that is why we usually provide a warm side and a cool side to the enclosure...so that they can regulate their temperatures as necessary. In nature, the air may be cool, but he has the ability to go into the sun and bask for warmth...that is why you provide the heat lamp for him on one side of the tank...then he can go to the cool side of the tank if he wants to cool down. In general, always provide some warmth for your snake. As for going away... I would say if the lamp won't overheat and he has a cool side of the tank to go to...then definitely leave the lamp on while you're gone...he needs to be able to get warm. Also, make sure he is well fed if you are leaving for 2 weeks.

[ConcinusMan]

I don't leave lights on if I leave for longer than the day. My lights are always on timers anyway, so day/night comes at the same time each day. I highly recommend using timers. You don't want erratic day/night cycles. This also allows you to adjust the day length to provide "seasons". I always start out shortening the day to less than 12 hours when I plan to brumate. I do that for a while before lowering temperature. The short days provides the cue that's time to get ready for winter. For summer, I leave them on for about 14 hours.

But anyway, if I"m going to be gone for a few days/ a week, I turn off the basking lights so they just stay at room temp. Better to have them cool than to leave heat on unmonitored. I'll leave an undertank heater on sometimes but I wouldn't leave basking bulbs on for days unattended. You could leave them on while you're gone (I don't though) but always use a timer. I don't recommend leaving them on 24 hours a day.

If it were me and I'm going to be gone for more than 2 days, I just turn off all heat bulbs and just use florescent on a timer.

[EasternGirl]

Right...but if he doesn't have a timer and if the room is going to get really cold...then wouldn't it be better to leave the light on than to let the snake get really cold?

[ConcinusMan]

Depends on what you define as "really cold". Even if you normally keep a gradient of 70-85, it won't hurt them one bit to get down to around 60 for a few days/week or two. Don't give them a big meal before you leave if that's going to be the case though. It's hard to digest at the cooler temps. If you can't use a timer, but need heat, use a red bulb or undertank heater. They seem to get very annoyed with 24 hours of bright light.

[EasternGirl]

Yeah...I was assuming it was getting pretty cold in the room...but I'm not sure exactly how cold we're talking....how cold does it get in your room?