Here are some of the tools and supplies I use and recommend.
Thermostats:
- Herpstat Intro+ or better model by Spyder Robotics: I use these because they provide a good range of features, have performed very reliably and accurately for me, and are reasonably priced for what you get. I use herpstats as the primary temperature controller for all of my racks and incubators. As these are proportional tstats, they will keep the temperature regulated very well. At the time of writing, they sell for around a 90$ and up depending on exactly where you buy it and which model you select.
- Ranco ETC prewired thermostats: Most of these models should regulate both heat and cold and can handle a decent load, but check the specifics before purchasing to be sure. These have also been very reliable for me and I use them as the primary thermostat for refrigerators, air conditioners, radiant heat panels, and space heaters. They sell for around 50$. They do not have a night/day cycle builtin like the herpstats do and are and on/off model of thermostat but can be set to still keep a pretty tight temperature range.
- Hydrofarm thermostats (Amazon): These have the fewest features of the thermostats that I have used and on at least on occasion, I've had one stick in the on position and fail to properly regulate heat. The only positive is that they are cheap at 35$ or sometimes less. I could only recommend these as a backup to one of the two more reliable thermostats above, for the price they are a nice piece of insurance to add to your rack or room heating device to make sure a dislodged probe or tstat failure doesn't cook your entire room or rack.
- TG-1 TempGun (Reptile Basics): Initially I tried an automotive temp gun but found it highly inaccurate. This temp gun, however, was less expensive and very accurate right out of the package. They run around 25$ and unless you have some special fascination with temp guns is as high end of a device as you'll likely ever need.
- Accurite: Many models and can usually be obtained at Walmart. These are good except I do not like the ones with a wireless probe much.
- LED digital fridge thermometers: Many of these come from China but have proven fairly reliable for me, but always double check any temperature device for accuracy. Most of them take these batteries which can be had for cheap online.
- 12" stainless steel tweezers are durable, can be disinfected, and last a long time. Here's where I purchase mine.
- For subadult to small adult ratsnakes, I use an 8fr clear feeding tube attached to a luer lock tip syringe. I get mine from www.squirrelsandmore.com. For hatchling sized snakes, I use a 20 gauge stainless steel feeding needle but I really only do that for small egg eating snakes.
- For mites, my preferred treatment is Frontline Flea and Tick spray (not the concentrated form that goes on the dog's back shoulders, this comes in a much larger spray bottle). I remove the water bowl, spray it on a powder free vinyl glove and then rub up and down the snake. In my area, the smell is gone in about 5 minutes after which I put the snake back in its enclosure. I leave the waterbowl out for 24 hours. I am told that putting small snakes back in before the smell is gone can kill them. Obviously, you do not rub any of it into a eyes, nose, mouth, or into the vent. This stuff is absolutely deadly to the mites and is systemic enough to really wipe them out. I have also used Provent a mite but I had neonates show neurological symptoms when I applied it directly to the plastic even after allowing it to completely dry for an hour. Now, I spray the paper towel and let it dry overnight and place that in with hatchlings. For species living in damp substrates, I would definitely go with frontline flea and tick or even predatory mites. Arbico is a good source for the mites (H. miles)
- The old standby is an oil radiant space heater. These upright heaters on wheels that are powerful to heat (and over-heat) a large room. Safer than most space heaters, they can be a good option but do not trust a built-in thermostat without using a backup. I recommend ranco ETC for controlling these heating units. Here's a good selection of these units.
- The problem with the oil radiant heaters is that they take up a lot of space and you do not want your heat source sitting right next to your rack or enclosures. I really like these wall mounted heaters that go up and out of the way. Bare in mind the lives of whatever you are keeping depend on a suitable room temperature so be sure to double up on the thermostats controlling any heat source.
Here is another article with further information mostly focused on saving money on reptile supplies
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Please note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.