Thinking of building a setup for a boa or python

[Tequila]

Wow. Thanks for that. That will give me something to think about when I'm building this viv.

You also asked me:

Now that my minds made up. I'm def. getting one. How hard is it to find the 75% Diamond x Jungle?

Not sure, because I have been out of breeding snakes for sometime now. Whatever animals I still have are out on breeding loans, or are just being kept by others as law have changed and I can't keep them here anymore. Look around on kingssnake and other reptile sites or forums for breeders.

What do you think of the dimesnsions of the viv I'm building? What do I need to change? Right now I have it at, 6' long x 5' high x 3' deep.

I'm thinking that it's a perfect size for a display cage. When I kept and bred boids all my cages with the exception of cages for Chondro pythons where 6'L x 20"H x 3'D.

You will however need a hot rock or heat tape area on the floor of your display cage, for night time heating and you will then use either lights for heating or a heat emitting lamp that only gives off heat not light for daytime. You can regulation the times and the amount of heat with a timer/thermostat. But just remember the both should never be on at the same times, just in case something goes wrong.

 

[RedDevilDon2005]

I had a bad experience with a heat rock when i first started keeping herps. Are they still the same/

 

[Tequila]

I had a bad experience with a heat rock when i first started keeping herps. Are they still the same/

I don't really like them either unless I make them myself. But it you don't like them use heat tape with timers & thermostat. I'm just saying that you will need a round the clock heat source. For unless you wanna leave the light or heat emitting ceramic fixture on 24/7, which I would advise for many reasons. You should have a heat source on the floor of the cage for night time uses, your Carpet(s) will come down from the branches at night to sleep and return to the branches in the daytime.

And ideally if you had a heat source in the water supply (the pool your planning on installing) then your snake(s) would have good reason when comes time for shedding to soak in the pool. Note: You only need to turn on this heat supply when you see your snake(s) getting ready to shed, almost all snakes in captivity require some help from time to time shedding. The two best types of help, 1. soaking especailly in warm water. 2. A nice hand message with scented oils for several hours per day until skin is shedded.


Please note, that I believe that the best ventilation for a cage of this height demensions is that most ventilation hole be made in the sides and back of the cage unit, not the top - only one small ventilation area should be placed in the top and it should either be close to either corner not in the center or directly above the heating element, unless the heater is on the floor.

 

[snakeguy101]

I had a bad experience with a heat rock when i first started keeping herps. Are they still the same/

heat rocks are still no good, I am actually shocked that they are still made because they cause burns, the wires are hazardous. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE THESE.

 

[RedDevilDon2005]

Time for some technical questions now that my mind is made up with the snake.

Ventalation- How many holes will i need? I'm going to run a timed setup for lights and floor heat.

Moisture- Do you guys recommend an auto mist system for humidity? Or will the pond be fine for that? Also should i keep the pond heated at all times?

Floor Heater- Everything is going to sit on a piece of 3/8" plywood. I think I'm going to glue down a piece of vinyl landscape pond liner to it. As far as the heat tape goes, will it melt through the liner?

Lighting- Special bulbs? UV wise. Basically the top will have recessed ceramic fixtures to keep everything looking clean. I'm thinking 3 or 4 fixtures at the top.


Sorry for all the questions, but like i said, I'm brand new to the snake keeping and dont want anything to go wrong.

 

[snakeguy101]

Ventilation: you should be able to eyeball how many holes you need, because there is no specific amount, it depends on how big they are and where they are placed Just make sure that air can move through them. I would go with what tequila was saying and have the holes on the side, this will help keep humidity in while still allowing for air flow. I have seen people also add small fans (like the ones that keep your computer cool) to aid in ventilation but i think that is up to you though it might be good if you chose to drill fewer holes.

Moisture: I think that the heat and the pond should do the trick for humidity. I have never had good experience with auto misting systems so I would not go there. If the humidity does drop, just use a regular spray bottle. I would include a humidity meter though so that you can keep an eye on it.

Floor Heater: I don't think that it should be a problem, pond liners are pretty hardy and heat tape does not get THAT hot, you might want to ask the people that manufacture the pond liner. I think that it will hold up because I have some of it outside here and i can imagine that on a hot sunny day it reaches as temps as hot as heat tape...

Lighting: the snakes you are thinking about do not require special lighting as far as UV goes. Just a heat lamp with any old bulb will do. You can purchase light bulbs that mimic daylight at wal*mart for pretty cheap and they produce a good color.

now, A question for you: are you planning on having 2 ponds (one for each division) or just one that stretches into both under the divider or do you have other plans for the water feature?
It might be cool to construct a water fall, it would aid in the humidity too. just some thoughts.

 

[jason longboard]

Time for some technical questions now that my mind is made up with the snake.

Ventalation- How many holes will i need? I'm going to run a timed setup for lights and floor heat.

Moisture- Do you guys recommend an auto mist system for humidity? Or will the pond be fine for that? Also should i keep the pond heated at all times?

Floor Heater- Everything is going to sit on a piece of 3/8" plywood. I think I'm going to glue down a piece of vinyl landscape pond liner to it. As far as the heat tape goes, will it melt through the liner?

Lighting- Special bulbs? UV wise. Basically the top will have recessed ceramic fixtures to keep everything looking clean. I'm thinking 3 or 4 fixtures at the top.


Sorry for all the questions, but like i said, I'm brand new to the snake keeping and dont want anything to go wrong.

banned for changing your avatar 5 times a week,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,oh wrong thread,be right back.

 

[snakeguy101]

banned for changing your avatar 5 times a week,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,oh wrong thread,be right back.

ahahahaha

 

[Louie]

I'm leaning towards the carpet.

The Carpets are stunning. I would think a large water container is last thing you want with a carpet.

I have never kept them. I keep Mt kings but from watching repeats of Croc hunter they are found in arid areas.

I have seen them at herp shows and stunning snakes .

 

[hervoicewasgray]

I like ball pythons, personally.
They're pretty predictable, and relatively easy to care for.

We found a 6' RTB once, and built it a big enclosure out of fence material. It came out pretty sweet, but I don't have any pics.