How do you properly heat a 20 gal for a baby?

[Snakelover06]

I was led to believe that a 20 gal would be fine for him, but after reading on here, I see it might be hard for a hatchling. (I added a shoe box to make it seem less big and make it feel more secure and sprinkled his old substrate around). I have a heat pad and light going now? Is that okay and good enough for heating a large space? Plus should I get a UTH too? The heat pad is on the side right now and I can't move it( it could ruin it).


sidenote...he hasn't moved from his hide spot since I last saw him and I'm still anxious from my last snake dying a couple days ago...Should I worrry?

[Mangrove]

I was led to believe that a 20 gal would be fine for him, but after reading on here, I see it might be hard for a hatchling. (I added a shoe box to make it seem less big and make it feel more secure and sprinkled his old substrate around). I have a heat pad and light going now? Is that okay and good enough for heating a large space? Plus should I get a UTH too? The heat pad is on the side right now and I can't move it( it could ruin it).


sidenote...he hasn't moved from his hide spot since I last saw him and I'm still anxious from my last snake dying a couple days ago...Should I worrry?


well first it depends on when you purchaced him, you should leave a newly bought corn alone for atleast 3 days so it can get use to its surroundings. corns are not very active, i see mine comeout like maby 4 times a week or so, so dont worry about that. but as far as heating your temperature should be about 80-85 on the warm side and about 75-80 on the cooler side.
with my corn i put all the heat on one side so if she wants to escape it she can, because heat plays a role in digestion and appitite. i hope i could help oh yeah what is the temperature in your tank?? :spinner: :spinner:

[Snakelover06]

well first it depends on when you purchaced him, you should leave a newly bought corn alone for atleast 3 days so it can get use to its surroundings. corns are not very active, i see mine comeout like maby 4 times a week or so, so dont worry about that. but as far as heating your temperature should be about 80-85 on the warm side and about 75-80 on the cooler side.
with my corn i put all the heat on one side so if she wants to escape it she can, because heat plays a role in digestion and appitite. i hope i could help oh yeah what is the temperature in your tank?? :spinner: :spinner:


Right now it says 85-90

[Mangrove]

Right now it says 85-90



that isnt to bad i mean there shouldnt be to much to worry about, it is probly a great temperature for a hatchling, they need the temperature a little bit higher but still need another side of the tank where they are able to excape the heat, snakes are cold blooded and cant regulate a body heat that is why the temperature is so importand. but as far as the tank a 20 gallon should be fin i think mine is like a 30, but a 20 will house a corn its whole life

i was also wondering how old is your snake?? :eatpointe

[Snakelover06]

Thats the thing. I don't know. I bought through a pet store and they replaced the one I lost. I know its a bad idea....but he was a candycane and mixed with something else. He's so beautiful and I know he would have cost me an and a leg from a true breeder because of his mixture. So I"m being really anxious and alert. I don't want to lose this one. He's about 12 inches so he can't be more than a couple months at the most.

[Mangrove]

it is always better to looking into a herp society near you, they take better care of your snake. but if you check the snake correctly and there seems to be no external problems then you shoud be good to go.

[Alias47]

You should leave the snake alone for a week...before feeding...then wait another 2 before handling it.

It needs time to adjust.
90 is TOO hot...

I keep my tanks/tubs about 82 on the hot side to mid 70's on the low side of the gradient...

If your UTH is stuck on the outside of your tank...you CAN peel it off...it will void any warranty (are you really going to send it back??) but if you peel it slowly and carefully...without bending the thing TOO much...it will work just fine and can be restuck...preferably to a ceramic tile, so you can move it whenver and wherever...I have done this with 3 or 4 of them and they all work just fine.

Make sure you change the water regularly...the light WILL dry out the tank...if you move the UTH under the tank instead of on the side...you may not even have a need for the light any longer.

[Rosebear]

... but if you peel it slowly and carefully...without bending the thing TOO much...it will work just fine and can be restuck...preferably to a ceramic tile...
What a sensible idea! Thank you for sharing that!