Dumerils and UV

[youritworks]

I have two baby dumerils and was wondering if they or other boa's need UV lighting. I keep them secluded in my den with the blinds drawn more for me less than for them since they are not in direct sunlight. Given that Dum's live in the bottom of jungle under leaves and what not, I"m guessing they really don't need the lighting.

What about other boa's?

[hevychevy427]

Since I do not raise Boas I guess I am not the best person...but doing research on keeping boids..I never saw that as a requirement...but at the same time I believe all snakes need a difference in lighting to provide a nightime/daytime effect.
You can accomplish that with artificial lighting...depending on the heating situation in their room they may need additional heat...I know my columbiam required 88-90 in a basking spot...she did use this regularly..I supplied her with a Black light at night so she would have the same temps with out disturbing her.
Nancy :D

[Alias47]

As far as I know (which isn't a lot) and I don't want to overload you with advice ( :wink: Nancy) Nancy is correct. UV is usually required by lizards for vitamin and especially, calcium processing. I have never heard of snakes NEEDING any special degree of UV. My kings have natural, indirect daylight. But, I don't keep boids, so you may want to check further.

[Detroit Boas]

hehe Dumerils..Been breeding them a while..Well no uv is not nesicary for these guys..They are pretty much entirely terrestrial spending most of there time burried in substrate..Really most species of snakes dont require uv for the simple fact that MTB is rarely seen in snakes and more so in lizards and other herps.... :D Hope that helps..In my collection of Dumerils i have nooooo uv...It is lit from the windows in the snake house...Thats all i have used for years and have had alot of success in breeding and health..

[CrazyCodyKadunk]

uv light is only for herps that eat plants. snakes do not need uv being they dont eat any plant matter. torts, turtles, and most lizards need uv being that they eat plant matter.

CrazyCody

[youritworks]

Thanks. I guess I can turn off the big uv I have. I'm also trying to build some custom cages and wanted to make sure I kept clearance for the light if I needed it, but since I don't need it, my life becomes a little simplier.

[Detroit Boas]

Well if you do not want to build a cage check out ...www.moonstuckexotics.com
or
www.precisioncaging.com

[youritworks]

Yeah I looked at precision. 13 inches high seemed too small. Do you use the large cages?

[youritworks]

I assume your using these two vendors. Can you put up some pictures of your setups with them.

[Alias47]

Hey, Detroit
The moonstuckexotics doesn't work (I cut and pasted) is that the correct address? I would like to check them out.
Thanks
Derek

[youritworks]

its actuall www.moonstruckexotics.com missing the r in struck, they look nice but no dimensions.

[Alias47]

Hey, thanks!

[Detroit Boas]

As far as the precision cages yes i have used those for years..Now i use them mostly for my hots..

[Detroit Boas]

Oh ya and on another note you have to remember no matter wich way you go floor space is mor important for Dumerils..What size are they now????

[youritworks]

One is little over 3 feet my guess is about 1 year old and male and the other was born July 04 and is female.

Right now I have the female in a 20G long and the mail in a 55 Gal.

I was thinking of getting something like 48X24X24 with a divider between the two of them and as they mature get a second cage and give them each more room.

Again mine are more for display than breeding although I want to attempt breeding at least once. I have a 10x12 room that I can dedicate to them as much as I want but may build something more permanent in my basement over the next year.

[Detroit Boas]

What kind of substrate are you considering??

[youritworks]

I'm using reptile/out door carpet and in one corner I pile up some pine bedding for them to lay in and practice their ambushing techniques, usually on my fingers.

I spay the bedding with water after they feed just to raise the humidity a little. Also in their cage is a hide log and plastic dog food bowl with water.

I have their heat source over the bedding on both and then a under tank mat for the baby. Although she doesn't use it, she spends most of her time in the water dish, not sure why yet.

[Detroit Boas]

Well as for the baby i would have to say either to much heat or mites..Pine is be a good source of substrate..As i mentioned before they are pretty much terrestrial..What are the temps at in the little guys cage??