| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Mancunian
Hatchling
United Kingdom
384 Posts |
 Posted - 06/03/2008 : 20:55:24
|
I am concerned about the temperature in my corn snakes vivarium.
I have a heating pad which I was advised to place on the back of the vivarium with a polystyrene backing. I did this but the temperature in the vivarium was only 75-80 F in the warm end and about 5 F cooler at the cool end.
Today I decided to move the heating pad to the base of the vivarium with a shallow covering of wood chips on the floor at the warm end. The temperature is now only 75 F at the warm end of the viv.
The thermometers are about 4 inches off the floor.
I was advised to keep the temperatures 80-85 F at the warm end and 70-75 F at the cool end.
Any advice on warming the viv better? Should I move the thermometers or get another heating pad. I have only had the corn snake for 6 days and he seems well and is feeding though not moving that fast on handling or exploring the vivarium.
Any thoughts welcome. |
0.1.1 Corn Snakes (Elaphe guttata) CB07 Jasper (Amelanastic) CB07 Chicomecoatl (Anerythristic Aztec)
1.0.0 Royal Python (Python regius) CB07 Tibo (Normal)
1.1.0 California Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula californiae) CB05 Luka (B&W Banded) CB06 Lucien (Albino Banded)
 |
|
|
n/a
deleted
65 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 17:41:18
|
just read your post, this too concerned me, my brother keeps alsorts of snakes and at warm end should be between 70 -75 cooler end can be anything below this so i would not worry to much, if your corn is alert and feeding well then he/she should be ok, give it time to get used to its surroundings fi fi my corn never emerged from her flowerpot for two weeks and only came out when feeding time arrived, now she is settled and shed her skin is very healthy and happy. hope this helps.
 |
 |
|
|
Mancunian
Hatchling
United Kingdom
384 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 18:28:45
|
Thanks!
I have moved to thermometers lower (about 2 cm off the floor) and the temps now read 80 F and 65 F so I am happier (hope Jasper is too!).
The glass floor is hot on top of the heat pad but it is covered in wood chips. He does burrow though so hope he dosn't get burnt. |
0.1.1 Corn Snakes (Elaphe guttata) CB07 Jasper (Amelanastic) CB07 Chicomecoatl (Anerythristic Aztec)
1.0.0 Royal Python (Python regius) CB07 Tibo (Normal)
1.1.0 California Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula californiae) CB05 Luka (B&W Banded) CB06 Lucien (Albino Banded)
|
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
118 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 19:31:43
|
hi there, i just thought id reply as find it interesting how many people worry about the temp in corn vivs, corns dont actually need any heat at all in their vivs provided your house has normal central heating.
they just like to have sumwhere to snuggle up and the smallest of mats would do, my first corn has never had a heat mat and is absolutely fine! hope this eases your mind a bit. |
|
|
|
Lewy
The Corn Snake Admin
United Kingdom
2874 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2008 : 09:36:22
|
quote:
Originally posted by speedwaybabe
...corns dont actually need any heat at all in their vivs provided your house has normal central heating.
they just like to have sumwhere to snuggle up and the smallest of mats would do, my first corn has never had a heat mat and is absolutely fine! hope this eases your mind a bit.
Corns need heat to aid digestion otherwise they'll become compacted and can die!!!- I'd recommend having a heat mat and if possible a thermostat to regulate the temperature. Unless you live in a hot country a heat source is a must! especially if you live up North it's bloody freezing up here at the moment -
The area over the heatmat should be around 30oC (86F) and the cool end of the viv around 21oC (70F) take measurements close to the heat source not at the top of the viv (heat rises so you wont get an accurate temperature reading) Mats can break so its recommenced to have a thermostat to regulate the temperature and shut it off if it decides to overheat - Last thing you want is a burnt Corn Snake!
Hope this helps |
Lewy
THE CORN SNAKE.co.uk Team
 |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
118 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2008 : 14:40:13
|
| yeah can see up north being a problem right now lol but my friend had approx 30 corns, as she supplies the local pet shops with what she breeds and none of them have heat mats, maybe its just that we both have really hot houses lol |
|
|
|
BlueTongueDan
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1462 Posts |
Posted - 14/03/2008 : 20:40:43
|
quote:
Originally posted by speedwaybabe
my first corn has never had a heat mat and is absolutely fine! hope this eases your mind a bit.
Interesting, how long have you had your corn with no heating?
Does he/she ever regurgitate his/her food?
You must have a really warm house lol |
www.youtube.com/BlueTongueDan
 |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
118 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2008 : 20:33:51
|
hi, my corn is 3 in may, never had heat mat as corns are from south america and not as exotic as pythons etc.
he always eats well,sheds well and have never had any problem with him, i didnt expect this myself but when i purchased my snake it was from a breeder who supplies many pet stores and have since became good friends, i also bought a corn for my partners boy and for my friend and they dont use heat either?
|
|
|
|
Mancunian
Hatchling
United Kingdom
384 Posts |
Posted - 29/03/2008 : 10:59:31
|
The heating concern is on going issue and I have to say I am getting lots of conflicting advice from different people regarding heating my glass tank for my corn snake. Everyone has a different view and
its driving me crazy ! I am assuming there are no definate right or wrong way to do this?
At the moment the heat mat is on the back wall of the all glass tank, with background paper between the mat and glass and a polystyrene (styrofoam) layer 2 cm thick over the mat at the back to reflect heat in. The mat covers half the back wall of the tank. The back wall is warm to the touch and a thermometer directly on top of it reads 32 C. I have wood chips on the floor (a good layer).
A hollow cork log lies across the entire back of the viv and this is touching the back glass so warms up. He spends most of his time in the log. Temp in the cool end is 22C.
I moved the heat mat from under the tank as it was too hot to touch and the snake was living permanently in the cool end. I have also been warned the heat mat may crack the tank if left here.
However, others have advised that the heat mat must really be under the tank and not on the back wall and to put a layer of newspaper or card between the mat and glass floor. I did try this as well. well. But obviously the fact I am writing this (long) post means I must have some doubts still. I am tempted to re-try underfloor heating with insulation between tank and mat again, as the last guy I spoke too had kept snakes for years and seemed most insistent that I should have the heat source under the tank and said he had never had a glass tank crack. But in the shop I bought him from say they have lost lots of tanks to under floor heat mats cracking the glass and strongly advise against it!
Basically I have tried all options, the snake is fine with all, he is eating I still don't have a thermostat- I think I may get one this week. I am probably worrying over nothing though! |
0.1.1 Corn Snakes (Elaphe guttata) CB07 Jasper (Amelanastic) CB07 Chicomecoatl (Anerythristic Aztec)
1.0.0 Royal Python (Python regius) CB07 Tibo (Normal)
1.1.0 California Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula californiae) CB05 Luka (B&W Banded) CB06 Lucien (Albino Banded)
|
|
|
|
dazb
The Corn Snake Moderator
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 19:25:04
|
| wow.... now i am soooooo confused |
  |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
538 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 10:48:55
|
me too !!!
I have both a heat lamp and a mat on timers one for day and one for night.
I have a heat lamp on during the day around 75-80 then a mat on at night ( which is on the back wall of the viv not on the floor) which is normally around 65-70 harry is very happy, and my thermometer is stuck in the middle. he comes out and lays directly under the lamp during the day then sometimes he lays in the cooler end by his water.
But my friend has NO lamp or mat and his corn is in a tank and he also seems very happy? So I dont know, After reading most books they do state there should be heat for digestion etc as they are from a hotter country and all that.
|
 
|
|
|
|
liverpoolmadman
Hatchling
United Kingdom
375 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2008 : 17:40:29
|
we have a polysteren tile on the base of the tank
then the heat mat
then a wall tile then cover with wotever u use at the bottom of your tank
this worked for my wesyern hognose and works just as well for my corn effie
|
 |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
21 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2008 : 13:32:06
|
| i have a heat mat for my corn under 1/3 of her viv, but i only have it on for 2 days a week when she feeds. if i have it on any other time then she goes into her water bowl to cool down, so i must have a very warm house aswell!! |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
