| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| snowstripe420 |
Posted - 03/06/2011 : 00:11:00
Well it is now June :D Happy summer everyone! I am living out of town at the moment going to BCIT talking my level 1 electrical! I will be returning home August 1st to my girlfriend (who is talking care of my corn) and a vivarium all set up for my next child :D I talked to my mother and My thermometers, Fogger, Heatmatts, thermostat and Hydrometers are all sitting at her house, waiting to be opened! (Better than xmas!!!)
My question's.....
Although snakes absorb heat through their bellies, Is an ambient temp of say 75-80 degrees necessary for BRBS? My house is cold, and often falls below the 70 degree mark, sometimes to as low as 65 degrees. I ordered 2 heat mats, and thought that if an ambient temp is necessary, i would through one on the side or back of the tank.
follow up question for number 1.... How would my thermostat (reptitherm 500r) with one probe, regulate the temperatures from both mats? both matts are the same size and make, but i cant see zoo-med or whoever making a "perfect" piece of equipment. ( The matts, even if turned on at the same time, would over time, have a greater temperature radiant)
Also, Is it a "must" to have 3 hides for the brb (one being humid)? I thought that because my viv holds humidity in so well, and my fogger is on a timer that cycles ever 4 hours, a damp or 'moist hide" wouldnt be necessary.
Is there such thing as too much humidity? Achieving 90-100% humidity, isnt a hard task. I know hatchlings will require more humidty than aduts or older juveniles. But is there a limit? Say an adult BRB lives in a median of 90% for most of its life, will this "unusually" high humidity, over time, cause heath risks?
Thanks for your time |
| 2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 03/06/2011 : 19:47:45
Congrats on the pending arrival, Kassady! Brazilians make awesome pets, both beautiful and interesting to watch. Kudos to you for researching their requirements beforehand.
For temperatures, I try and offer an ambient/room level of as close to 72 as possible (though I never quite get there -- too expensive during the summer! -- and a hot end of 81/82, on the theory the snake can then choose whatever spot it finds most comfortable. However, I know people who have kept these animals at constants of anywhere from the mid-70s to low 80s, and they have survived fine. (I can’t vouch for happiness, though ;-) .)
Joe is correct, even at 65 these snakes will be fine so long as they have access to heat if needed. My sole caution would be that the low should be nighttime only -- Brazilians are both secretive and nocturnal, so during the day, a nervous snake in a larger or more exposed viv might choose security (a hide) over heat, even if they were uncomfortable or suffering.
As for using one themostat to control two mats with different temps…I don’t think it can be done (short of specialized units designed with multiple probes and controls). I stack my vivs, and use one thermostat for every three cages, but the temps follow each other closely.
I would counsel you to include a moist hide anyway. It’s solely from a risk management perspective, however: it provides a fall-back retreat in case the general humidity drops and you don’t notice, whether because you’re busy or away. Brazilians love moss hides anyway, so it will get good use.
Joe is (again) accurate that using a burrowable substrate makes hides much less crucial.
For humidity, I’d shoot for 90% for babies, and 80% for adults. As with temps, ambient levels can go lower so long as the snake has a high humidity place to retreat to.
I hope this helps, and best of luck!!! |
| flaboye |
Posted - 03/06/2011 : 17:12:43
An ambient temp of 80 would be better than 75, but even dropping to 65-68 at night shouldn't cause you trouble as your BRB can settle over a heat mat if he/she is so inclined. I wouldn't worry about a "moist" hide as you said you'll have a fogger so your humidity should be fine. I have a couple of heat mats which I leave on, are not thermostatically regulated, and if my girl wants she gets over one, if not she's off doing something else. The tank temperature is usually around 80-82 and can drop as cold as 65 but usually drops around 70, only 65 in the very cold winter. But then again, she's fine as she'll go to a heat mat if she wants/needs it.
Since I use cypress mulch as my substrate I only have one hide. Your BRB will hide all day and come out at night. By using cypress mulch my girl can basically "hide" anywhere in her enclosure. One heat pad is right at the entrance to her huge half log hide. The other is out under substrate away from the hide but not too far away. Basically that is what could be called the "warm" side. On the opposite end is a very large pool she can completely submerge herself in and she does this regularly but not for extended periods of time.
You don't need anything above 90% humidity, and yes too much is as bad as not enough, though a brb is more tolerant of "too much humidity" over say a bci or other boa species.
I'm sure others will have more to say.
Congrats on your decision to get a BRB. They feel, look, and behave completely differently from dumerils, red tails, bcc's, bci's, timors and ball pythons. You will be happy. |
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