Hi! I have a baby corn snake, I got her in August and she was very healthy and eating well at the beginning and now shes having problems shedding, eating problems (she eats less or re-ger-ja-tates them) the lighting that the pet store told me to use was just an average 60 watt light bulb in a desk lamp. It was to be used for heating as well as lighting and Ive found thatthe heating in the cage(10 gallon tank) is very low and shes always feeling cold. Anyone have any suggestions? I really need help. What kind of lighting is most appropriate? Thank you very much!
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lighting....HELP PLEASE!
- Thread starter gummo
- Start date
kenalotia
New member
Lighting itself isn't that important. Unless the tank is in a very dark place, you don't really need the extra light. I recommend an under tank heater. They affix to the underside of the tank and heat it up that way. (Before actually attaching it, you might want to find out how hot it gets. Sometimes it's better to put it an inch or so below the glass because the heaters get too hot.) Put the UTH under about 1/2 of the tank to provide a warm side and a cool side. The heat will hopefully solve the regurgitation problem. Just remember to leave her along, without any feeding attempts, for 7 days after a regurgitation to let the stomach acid and enzymes build up again.
As for the shedding problems, you should increase humidity in the tank. Getting rid of the light may help in this. You can also try giving your snake a few baths in the days that she's preparing to shed.
As for the shedding problems, you should increase humidity in the tank. Getting rid of the light may help in this. You can also try giving your snake a few baths in the days that she's preparing to shed.
seems a good place to ask...
Ok, I'm out at work during the day, so I'm only at home during the evening, which, now, is dark. So, I have the light on. As it's dark outside, will this stress my snake out? I normally turn the lights out at about 9/10, so he doesn't think it's day time all night as well.. but I'm still worried he might be getting too much light. Would it be ok to cover the tank, or would this make it too hot?
Ok, I'm out at work during the day, so I'm only at home during the evening, which, now, is dark. So, I have the light on. As it's dark outside, will this stress my snake out? I normally turn the lights out at about 9/10, so he doesn't think it's day time all night as well.. but I'm still worried he might be getting too much light. Would it be ok to cover the tank, or would this make it too hot?
pinatamonkey
Ophidiophile
Do you have a thermometer? It really is essential to have one so you know the temps in the cage - estimation doesn't work very well. The warm side should be in the mid-80s.
About the light - I wouldn't worry too much about the light being on later if the cage is only getting indirect light from other places in the room. If the snake doesn't like it, it should have plenty of hide spots to go to.
About the light - I wouldn't worry too much about the light being on later if the cage is only getting indirect light from other places in the room. If the snake doesn't like it, it should have plenty of hide spots to go to.
so, can anyone tell me if it's ok to cover the tank up with a sheet or suchlike?
I'm up till around midnight, and unless I turn the light off, covering the tank is really the only option to stop RB from becoming stressed...
I was just wondering if covering the tank would cause the temp to rise inside?
I'm up till around midnight, and unless I turn the light off, covering the tank is really the only option to stop RB from becoming stressed...
I was just wondering if covering the tank would cause the temp to rise inside?
bmm
New member
well
Yes it will cause the temp to raise up if you cover the tank and heating source. But its not that big of a deal to leave it uncovered until midnight!
I have never heard of that stressing out a snake. My snakes come out at night if the lights are on or off in the room. Seems nothing can stop them from knowing its nighttime. haha
I wouldn't worry about it if I was you.
bmm
Yes it will cause the temp to raise up if you cover the tank and heating source. But its not that big of a deal to leave it uncovered until midnight!
I have never heard of that stressing out a snake. My snakes come out at night if the lights are on or off in the room. Seems nothing can stop them from knowing its nighttime. haha I wouldn't worry about it if I was you.
bmm
self regulation
I have 2 corns. I is 1.5 yrs old and the other a few months.
Each of them have not extra lighting. I used under tank heaters on both. The heaters are placed at one side so the snakes can regulate themselves. Not one single issue. As long as there is a palce for the snake to hide on either side of the tank an outside tempuratur flux is really no big deal. The snakes move to either side depending on the temp. I live where is is alot cooler most of the year and use croched blankets on both tanks in the fall, winter and spring ( stays that cool ). I dont cover the whole tank just 3-4 of the 6 sides. Combined with the direct sunlight the under tanks heater has served both snakes well. In the summer somtimes it gets warm enough to turn the heaters off. Either way teh water dish is nice and cool in the summer and the snakes like to go hang there. Corns are out at night for me with or without light. As others here have stated the snakes always seem to know.
From everything i have read and expreienced (raised and owned reptiles all my life) your snake is cold. I would suggest a small under tank heater. You can get real small ones for 15-20 bucks that cost maybe a few dollars to run a year. Let your snake try to regulate itself. The snake will know best. It the extra heat does not help a vet trip may be in order but i bet that the heat will make a big difference. It is a key factor in the snakes digestive process. None of the corns i have ever owned have spit up. Even with the under tank heaters both snakes i have now are cool to the touch most of the time by thier own choice. they also love to absord body heat.
Hope your snake gets better.
I have 2 corns. I is 1.5 yrs old and the other a few months.
Each of them have not extra lighting. I used under tank heaters on both. The heaters are placed at one side so the snakes can regulate themselves. Not one single issue. As long as there is a palce for the snake to hide on either side of the tank an outside tempuratur flux is really no big deal. The snakes move to either side depending on the temp. I live where is is alot cooler most of the year and use croched blankets on both tanks in the fall, winter and spring ( stays that cool ). I dont cover the whole tank just 3-4 of the 6 sides. Combined with the direct sunlight the under tanks heater has served both snakes well. In the summer somtimes it gets warm enough to turn the heaters off. Either way teh water dish is nice and cool in the summer and the snakes like to go hang there. Corns are out at night for me with or without light. As others here have stated the snakes always seem to know.
From everything i have read and expreienced (raised and owned reptiles all my life) your snake is cold. I would suggest a small under tank heater. You can get real small ones for 15-20 bucks that cost maybe a few dollars to run a year. Let your snake try to regulate itself. The snake will know best. It the extra heat does not help a vet trip may be in order but i bet that the heat will make a big difference. It is a key factor in the snakes digestive process. None of the corns i have ever owned have spit up. Even with the under tank heaters both snakes i have now are cool to the touch most of the time by thier own choice. they also love to absord body heat.
Hope your snake gets better.
I keep my cornbabies in a ten gallon tank, with a UTH and it seems to heat the tank up fine. I use coconut bark for their substrate and it really helps keep the humidity in, I just spray the cage down once or twice a day and my humidity is always very high (at 72 right now! ) I also cover the top with aluminum foil, this helps keep in the heat and humidity. Both of my corns have perfect sheds.
Very seldom do I use a light, only sometimes, when the house gets a little chilly, but ONLY for a few hours, and if I use a light, I make sure to keep the coconut bark nice and moist so the tank doesn't loose its humidity
It is very important for them to have one complete shed, I learned this the hard way....my boa lost her eye due to an eyecap that would NOT come off, she is my first snake. I didn't have her humidity high enough and she would shed in pieces, and her eyecaps were still attached. One came off, the other didn't and I went through three vets before it was too late!! Another important lesson learned...make sure you find a good vet who can actually treat reptiles and snakes. Anyway hope this helps.
) I also cover the top with aluminum foil, this helps keep in the heat and humidity. Both of my corns have perfect sheds. Very seldom do I use a light, only sometimes, when the house gets a little chilly, but ONLY for a few hours, and if I use a light, I make sure to keep the coconut bark nice and moist so the tank doesn't loose its humidity
It is very important for them to have one complete shed, I learned this the hard way....my boa lost her eye due to an eyecap that would NOT come off, she is my first snake. I didn't have her humidity high enough and she would shed in pieces, and her eyecaps were still attached. One came off, the other didn't and I went through three vets before it was too late!! Another important lesson learned...make sure you find a good vet who can actually treat reptiles and snakes. Anyway hope this helps.
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thermoter
Hi i have a question what type of thermoters does evey one use? The round gage or the stick on ones by zoo med the reason why im asking is because I have replace my thermoter already and not sure if the problem is the cage set up or the thermoter. I am using the one by zoomed. I use a 60 watt light bulb and an under the tank heater but the temp stays only 80 with light off it goes down to 70-75. This seems strange to me since the temp in my house is around 74. Any one have any suggestions?
Thanks.
Hi i have a question what type of thermoters does evey one use? The round gage or the stick on ones by zoo med the reason why im asking is because I have replace my thermoter already and not sure if the problem is the cage set up or the thermoter. I am using the one by zoomed. I use a 60 watt light bulb and an under the tank heater but the temp stays only 80 with light off it goes down to 70-75. This seems strange to me since the temp in my house is around 74. Any one have any suggestions?
Thanks.
I use the round gauges, like the ones in the picture. I think they are more accurate. I was using a digital therometer that could read both heat and humidity, but I found out that it was NOT reading correctly(and I paid a LOT more money for it than I did the round gauges!!). The more simple the better
Attachments
OH we're converting them into "singlewide trailer" tanks, soon we'll be installing the roll out windows...
LOL J/J The foil helps keep in the humidity, there are spaces on the sides for ventilation We are going to put vinyl on the top, but we havent got around to it yet....
If you cover up the top you will keep more heat in, thats why your cage is a little cool, all the heat is escaping!!!
LOL J/J The foil helps keep in the humidity, there are spaces on the sides for ventilation
We are going to put vinyl on the top, but we havent got around to it yet....If you cover up the top you will keep more heat in, thats why your cage is a little cool, all the heat is escaping!!!
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