Qs on Lighting and UTH

[Denisthemenace]

I just recently got into snakes, I currently own 2 Tarantulas and snakes just captivated my interest. I still feel that i have a lot to learn and many questions to ask so bare with me lol. I live in NYC so its very difficult to maintain a constant temp and humidity in my room with NYs crazy climate patterns. Im considering getting a Cali. King (what do you guys think of that choice for a first snake) most likely a hatchling so i was wondering what kind of Viv can i keep it in, I dont really have too much money to spend on the housing and supplies so i was curious if its worth going with a glass tank (not sure of how many gallons) because i dont want to go through 3 different tanks in its life time, if not more. I was wondering how quick kings grow? or Corns in general? What kind of vivs would you guys recommend for hatchlings. Another very important question is temp and humidity, should i go with a UV light for health purposes so the snake can have its daily amount of thoses healthy rays? Do corns/kings need a specific amount of UV light daily? if so how much? I can also purchase a UTH just incase and see how the light and the UTH maintain temp. For Humidity should i mist the tank walls once in a while?? or the dish would be enough? for my Tarantulas the Humidity generally stays in 45-65 range depending on whether im using the heater in my room that usually drys the air up. My room temp is around 68/69 at night and can get up to 74/75 in the day. For the hide away what works best.. i took a look at the Exo-terra snake cave but i dont feel like its nessasary to waste the extra money on something the snake is going to grow out of and something that can be easily substituded by something around the house. I was thinking of also getting some sort of driftwood or something the snake can use for climing. Last questiong would have to be about Vitamins and Feeding, are there any vitamin suppliment that i should use to maintain the snakes health? and in regards to pinkies do most of you freeze them? and how do you defrost them before you feed? also should the pinkies be at room temp when you feed them? I think thats about it with the questions im sorry if im asking too much but i just trying to clarify everything so i can be on my way with my purchase and i want to know as much as i can before i persue my interest with snakes.

Once again i would realy appriciate your help..

 

[BeckyG]

Welcome to the board and congratulations on your decision to get a snake. They are fascinating creatures. I also commend you on doing research before actually getting you snake. So many people don't, and it is the animal that suffers for it. Anyway, to answer your questions, yes, a Cal King would be a good beginner snake, as would a corn. You can keep it in a glass tank, just make sure you have a secure, locking top as they are excellent escape artists. You can go ahead and get the biggest size tank you can--I put mine directly into a 40 gallon--just make sure you have plenty of places for it to hide. You don't need to spend money on fancy hides or anything. Old toilet tissue rolls work just fine. Then when the snake outgrows that, you can use paper towel rolls. For substrate, newspaper or aspen seem to be the most recommended substrates. If you use a particle type substrate like aspen, you will need to feed in a separate container. A small plastic box with air holes in it will work fine for that. This is to prevent the snake from swallowing substrate, which could possibly lead to an impaction and death for your snake.

Snakes don't need UV light, but I do have full spectrum fluorescent bulbs on my tank. As I said, snakes don't need the light, but I do so I can see them. I find the full spec bulbs really bring out the snake's colors, but they are not necessary for the snake's health. I recommend UTH for heat, as heat lamps/bulbs can be very drying. If you are already having humidity problems, I'd recommend you to avoid those. Also, of utmost importance is a good quality digital thermometer with a probe. Put the probe directly on the substrate, or better, on the glass under the substrate. That is so you can get an accurate measurement of the temps in your tank.

Finally, most healthy snakes will not need any sort of supplements. I buy mice already frozen and just take one out when it is time to feed the snake. There are different methods of thawing mice. I plunk mine into a cup of hot tap water for about 15 minutes. This works fine. Some snakes do object to soggy mice, so if yours doesn't eat, try drying the mouse with a blowdryer or something. Also, before purchasing the snake, make sure it is feeding already. You don't want to get attached to a little guy only to discover that it won't eat. I hope I've answered some of your questions. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.

 

[Lennycorn]

Side note.
on f/t mice I toss my in a small zip-lock bag then do the same, cup and hot water. I reuse the bag for a while .

 

[MegF.]

Personally, I would go for a corn over a king. The temperaments on corns are usually much nicer than the kings I've ever handled. A lot less of the biting and musking with the corns. With the room temps you mentioned, you shouldn't need more than an UTH to keep the warm side at around 82. Use a cheap rubbermaid tub for your hatchling. They only cost a few dollars, and you can upsize until the snake is ready for a 20-30 gl. tank. Attach the UTH to a piece of tile, or glass out of a picture frame, and you can move it from tub to tub as you change sizes. Corns and Kings don't require high humidity. You might consider spraying once a day or so when they are going into blue, until they shed, but otherwise, you shouldn't need anything. On a side note: Are you going to be able to afford veterinary care if your snake gets sick, since the cost of a couple of tanks are too much now? I don't want to sound like I'm critical, but health needs are all a part of owning a snake.

 

[Denisthemenace]

if it honestly comes down to health issues thats serious and im willing to go and get everything resolved. I was talking to a fellow member and he recommended a ball python because originally i was considering a python for my first snake. What are everyones views on that?

 

[MegF.]

Balls are nice and fairly easy, but nothing beats a corn for a first snake. They don't have humidity issues or any real temperature issues. They are docile and feed readily (for the most part). Pythons get much larger and they can be picky eaters.

 

[Denisthemenace]

how big should the tank be in order to properly house a ball python?

 

[MegF.]

It would depend on the size of the snake. Something appropriate to the age and size.

 

[Denisthemenace]

the only reason i mentioned it is becasue it would be very hard to house a snake that requires a large tank due to my room size. Anyway guys thank you for all of your feedback but some of the questions i still havent been answered and i was concerned if you guys use vitamin suppliments and what kind of light should i use inorder to benefit the snakes health. I was leaning towards UV considering it substitutes real sun light but im not sure and at what wattige. The only reason why lighting is my concern is because my room hardly gets any actual sunlight and most of the time its pretty dark until li get home from college or where ever im coming from. This way i can create a balance between day and night so the snake wont get confused. Some pics of your terrarium for reference would really help.... if that could be possible.

 

[MegF.]

Balls can get over 5 ft and they are quite girthy so they'd need a larger enclosure than a corn. You shouldn't need any vitamin supplements for your snake if you feed good quality frozen/thawed mice. UV is not necessary. They don't need it for health. I'll look for some pictures for you. I know I have some somewhere. If not, I'll take some more.

 

[Lennycorn]

Some folk here do use vitamin but it's really require, reptical I think and thing just like it, you have to do a search on it. Light is not require for corn health but is useful to the owners. Just use something low wattage. Do a search on Viv to get some ideas!

 

[BeckyG]

Anyway guys thank you for all of your feedback but some of the questions i still havent been answered and i was concerned if you guys use vitamin suppliments and what kind of light should i use inorder to benefit the snakes health.

These questions were answered in the very first response to your post. And I quote:

Snakes don't need UV light, but I do have full spectrum fluorescent bulbs on my tank. As I said, snakes don't need the light, but I do so I can see them. I find the full spec bulbs really bring out the snake's colors, but they are not necessary for the snake's health.

Finally, most healthy snakes will not need any sort of supplements.

 

[Denisthemenace]

im sorry to repeat myself i just wanted to clarify everything.

 

[shotty]

Heres a pic of my viv. Its about 36x18x15 inches, think thats about a 40 gallon. I use an UTH which i put in the tank (because the tank is made of wood) and then cover with newspaper and then aspen. I dont use any UV but I am looking to get light, mainly for the purpose of viewing though. Iv also included a picture of the thermostat i use. This isnt necessary with a UTH but i live in wales and the temp in my room fluctuates considerably; this thermostat works extremely well and keeps temp pretty much constant.
Hope this is of some help.

 

[Denisthemenace]

everyones feedback is greatly appriciated