Like all reptiles, Dumeril’s boas need a heat gradient so they can regulate their own temperature. This temperature gradient is more effectively accomplished in large enclosures than in small terrariums or tubs.
Night temperatures can safely drop down to 68-75°F (21-24°C), and is actually better for the snake’s long-term health if provided. This is typically easily accomplished by turning off the heat source at night. If the snake’s enclosure is located in a particularly cool room, then it’s recommended to use a gentle source of nighttime heat such as a ceramic heat emitter or radiant heat panel, discussed later.
Measure the temperatures that your snake is feeling with a digital probe thermometer like the Zoo Med Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge, with the probe placed on the basking surface.
Do not use a stick-on thermometer, as these will not give you accurate results.
Halogen Flood Heat Lamp
In nature, warmth comes from the sun (above), not from the ground (below). In fact, reptiles retreat underground to escape the sun and get cooler, not warmer. Providing warmth from below, as with a heat mat, is therefore unnatural and will promote unnatural behaviors. Heat lamps solve this problem by mimicking the effects of the sun and warming both the air and the ground below.
I recommend using a dual dome-style heat lamp fixture with ceramic sockets, like this one by Zoo Med. Then you will need at least two high-wattage halogen heat bulbs, such as:
The exact wattage you will need depends on the height of your enclosure and your room temperature. If it’s a little too hot, use the dimmer switch on the heat lamp to dial it down to the right level.
ReptiFiles recommends using a cluster of multiple heat bulbs in order to create a larger basking area, which will heat your snake’s body more evenly and encourage more efficient thermoregulation and healthier circulation.
PRO TIP: Beware “environmentally-friendly” light bulbs. These bulbs advertise a high wattage, but actually use fewer watts while maintaining the same light output as the advertised wattage. This is great for household lighting, but in a reptile enclosure you need the warmth that extra energy expenditure provides. If you can’t find a good bulb, a reptile day bulb from a pet store works, too, although it will likely have a shorter lifespan.
If you are concerned about “belly heat,” placing a piece of flagstone or slate tile under the heat lamp will absorb warmth that your snake can curl up on. In fact, I recommend doing this anyway.
Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE)/Radiant Heat Panel (RHP)
I don’t recommend them for daytime heat, but if you need a lightless heat source for nighttime, a ceramic heat emitter is a good choice. Ceramic heat emitters produce ambient heat, also known as Infrared-C. It’s the weakest form of infrared, but it’s also the form of heat that Dumeril’s boas are most likely to encounter at night. For larger enclosures, it’s best to use a radiant heat panel instead of multiple ceramic heat emitters.
Either way, you will need to hook up each heat source to a thermostat in order to maintain safe nighttime temperatures for your Dumeril’s boa.
What about heat mats?
Under-enclosure heating devices like heat mats and heat tape are popular for use with snakes, especially terrestrial species. And they can be used, as long as they’re controlled by a thermostat. They can be particularly effective for creating a warm hiding area. However, they struggle to warm the air inside an enclosure, and produce relatively weak infrared. So I prefer to use halogen heat bulbs as my primary heat source.
CAUTION: Do not use heat rocks!
For some inane reason, heat rocks are still being sold by pet stores as a “safe” source of heat for your reptile. Though safety improvements have been made in recent years, there is still a danger of your snake getting burned. Furthermore, they’re not a good choice for heating your enclosure, as the device only warms the rock, not the surrounding air.
CAUTION: Use a lamp guard/bulb cage!
If you plan to install the heat source inside your snake’s enclosure, make sure it is surrounded by a lamp guard/cage to prevent your snake from getting burned by direct contact. (Amazon) (Arcadia)
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