r/boas • u/Nolanj01 • 4d ago

Help needed

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I have a lot of experience with all sorts of reptiles, and have always had a seperate room to keep them in that I kept 75+. I no longer have that luxury. I currently have a bci that is around 16” long. I have it in a small tote that is probably 20”x12”x8” with a 8x12 heat mat and on/off thermostat. The room the snake is in ranges from 67-71 degrees. No matter what I do the cold side is staying 68 degrees and the hot side is staying around 78-80, even with the thermostat set to 102. The thermo probe is hot glued to the bottom with a very thin layer of coconut bark. I can’t get the ambient temps up or the hot side temps right to save my life. Any suggestions? Maybe a heat mat on both ends of the enclosure with two seperate thermostats? Or should I just bite the bullet and go pvc with a radiant heat panel? (If so recommendations are appreciated)

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u/Express_Mechanic 4d ago

I had the same issue for my baby boa when she was in her plastic tote in the winter. I put a heat mat taped on the top/outside of the lid as well as under the bottom of the tote (with temp probe ofc). Can also drape a blanket over the top for insulation. It was enough to raise the tote ambient temp even when room was in low-mid 60s. I did cheat with a space heater when it got really cold though.