Heating my snakes cage.?

Question

Im going to be getting a corn snake in about a month and i plan on getting a heating pad to heat one side of the cage. so i was wondering if i need to do anything to the other side. We usualy keep the temperature in our house at 72 degrees and the snake will be kept in my room so it may be a little warmer. will this be ok for the snake?

Answer 1

a zoo med mini heat pad

Answer 2

I did not have snakes but a lizzard. both are cold blooded. think a heat lamp with a guard is best. that way if it gets too hot it can move to a cooler location.

Answer 3

The advice you're receiving is good.  You will want to use a substrate for your corn snake.  There are many sites you can google for cornsnake care.  Never use woodchips (they can control oils dangerous to your snake).

A good UVB strip light will provide vitamins and keep his colors vibrant.  These can produce heat (but don't get as hot as a basking light).  Keep it on the hot side of his tank and monitor the temp. on the floor where the snake dwells, to make sure it's not too warm for it.

You can take your corn snake outdoors for short periods and some direct sun (never put it on the ground - hold it) if the temp. is over 70 and no warmer than 80.  The snake will overheat easily, so be mindful of how much sun/heat its getting.

You'll want to keep the hot end of his tank around 80 degrees.  You can achieve this with an under tank heater, but you'll need to use a rheostat to adjust the temp. of the pad, and a good thermometer or thermometer gun to read the actual temperature of the glass.  Strip thermometers just are not accurate.  The cool end of the tank should be about a ten degree difference.

Humdity is important.  You'll want to keep it around 60%.  It should be increased to 70 % during his pre- and shed periods.  You'll need a spray bottle mister, or a cool steam steamer.  Use distilled water (this won't leave spots on the glass like hard water will).

The snake should have a hide on both sides of the tank so that it is able to feel secure as it moves around to adjust its body temperature.  Also use commercially purchased products (no limbs/mulch from outdoors as mites/parasites/mold, etc can be present, and cause your snake problems).  It will need something rough (a ceramic climbing limb, or rough bark hide) to rub on while shedding.

You'll need to provide a shallow ceramic bowl which is large enough for the snake to crawl in and soak before it sheds.  Make sure this doesn't get too warm (keep it closer to the cool end of his habitat).  Keep the water clean, and disinfect the bowl if the snake illiminates in it.  Change the water frequently (3-4 times a week).  Since the snake will enter the bowl to soak; only fill it about half way with declorinated water.

Once every 3-4 weeks, you will want to strip the habitat down, change the bedding; disinfect the tank with a 50/50 bleach/water solution (make sure you rinse everything very well, and dry/air it before setting up again).  Clean all the ceramic limbs, and follow the manufacture's instructions for baking wooden hides in the oven.

Of course, there's the normal maintenance cleaning.  Remove any fecal waste when your snake illiminates and all the soiled bedding around it.

I would strongly recommend that you only feed frozen prey.  Live prey can seriously injure your snake and create expensive vet bills.  Always be sure the prey item is brought up to room temperature before feeding.  The organs thaw the slowest, so carefully feel for cool spots before feeding (there should be none).

Feeding your snake dead prey can be easier, and reduce the risk of the snake striking you accidently, if you invest in reptile tongs (these look like tweezers, only a foot long).

For more information, you can google corn snakes, and follow all the lnks provided.  Enjoy your new pet!

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 4

No, you do not want to do anything to the other side. It's important for the snake to be able to choose between a warm and cool side.

Just make sure that with any heating source you use that you always have it connected to a thermostat. Heating pads can easily get 100+ degrees and burn your snake. You can get a decent thermostat for under $30 (reptilesupply.com) and not have to worry. Use a thermometer with a probe under the shavings touching the glass and on the center of the under tank heater.

Answer 5

that sound good, if you do deside to puchase a heat light, keep it on the same side of the tank as the pad. you want one side to be cool and the other to be warm. 72 sounds fine as long as the other side of the tank reaches a heat of around 85. that way your snake will be able to move to the appropriate spot in the tank to where he/she is confortable. hope this helped alot!

Answer 6

You should get a lamp becouse it migh not get the light it needs or both.

Answer 7

If i was you i would just use a heat light. :)  then the heat is all over..

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