Best lighting for diamond python?

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Rhomany

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I've recently become the lucky owner of an 8 month old gosford diamond and I've been researching lighting.
For the past week I've kept the enclosure next to the window where it is cooler for part of the day (there are a great deal of trees in my backyard and it isn't too sunny for most of the day) and very sunny around 11-1. She has been hanging out on the top branch and getting some sun. I'm very worried about diamond python syndrome and I've been making sure the enclosure isn't too dry and has cool places so the python doesn't overheat because I've heard that's a common cause of death aswell as overfeeding. Should I continue to use the sun as the light source or purchase a synthetic light? I'm asking this of people with full grown healthy diamonds that know what they're talking about.

Also I haven't had any heat on because it's been pretty hot in Newy over the past week. Haven't got a thermometer for the enclosure yet but just bought one on ebay.
 
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Have you got heat provided? Snakes are nocturnal, so they don't entirely like light, but of course it does not hurt. You need heat, regardless.

You need to set up a light fitting and cage, and get a Phillips spot globe, they will provide light, and heat, Though I'm not sure if it's light they can see.

Just saw that you edited your post. You need to run heat, even though she's young, you need the heat for her health, they need a basking spot to warm up, I believe DPS can
become current from the lack of heat too.

You need to set up a thermostat, set it to 29/30 degrees, and it should control that temp for you. Type in "microclimate" thermostat on eBay,
 
I give mine 4 hours of a low intensity UV tube and they get some natural light also. I keep them a bit cooler than other morelia also. I try to maintain a "basking spot" temp of 30 degrees and no heating through the rest of the enclosure. Err on the side of caution and feed a little less frequently than you would a coastal etc. I guess the main point to stress about heating is make sure all heat sources are covered to prevent burns.
 
i have a uvb light & a ceramic heat emitter,
i run the uvb dure in the day to temps about 27-32
and run the 60w ceramic heat emitter dure in the night, when i wake up in the morning the enclosure is about 24-26.

UV from the sun does not pass through glass, and UV is a must for diamonds!
 
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I usually have the heat on, but it's been ridiculously hot this past week and I don't want to overheat her. I own other reptiles and I know they need heat. I was asking if it's better to use sunlight or synthetic light because I've heard that diamonds don't do well with synthetic light and require the sun.
 
& also, i live in newy aswell, and the temps have been no where near what is required for a diamond!

sounds like you have not done your research
 
Thanks for the info. :)
I made a temporary enclosure out of a plastic storage container which has mesh on the top so that the sunlight and uv get through. Is there any specific bulb you like to use?

The temperature in my house has been hot, so I've left the heat pad off so that the snake isn't overheated. I've done my research please don't accuse me of being an idiot.
 
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if your just using a plastic tub with mesh, just sit it out in the backyard for 1 hour or so in the sun each day untill you set up your proper enclosure.

& yeah i do, just cant remember the name of the brand, & i threw the box out.
 
First look at your local weather
Days up to 40C in Summer
Nights down to 3C in Winter
Yet Diamonds thrive in that climate
They live there simply because of insulation
In both summer and winter they use thickly sided hides which insulate then from big temperature swings
DPS is much more common with Captive snakes than it ever was in the wild

Diamonds love sunlight
30 minutes direct sunlight equals 24hrs of any imitation light or sunlight through glass

Take it out the back yard every few days and let it wander
It may sit in the sun or it will go under shade
It will decide where it is most comfortable and go there
 
im not accusing you for being a idiot (everyone has to ask questions) just seems like you dont know to much about diamonds, you should know to put a uvb light in there or some sort of sorce of UV
 
im not accusing you for being a idiot (everyone has to ask questions) just seems like you dont know to much about diamonds, you should know to put a uvb light in there or some sort of sorce of UV

Sounds to me that she's only recently gotten this python, and with the hot weather at this moment, she was worried. Sounds to me as she's learning this stuff now, I say good on her.
 
Or let it chill on the open window pane safe from feral cats, diseased rabbits, ticks, mites from the rabbits and my crazy neighbour? :D
 
yes, every one starts from somewhere dont they ? i was a first time snake owner once & i asked questions aswell! Rhomany is not a idiot, im just trying to help out a fellow diamond owner!
sorry if i may be coming across rude or something, but thats just how i am.
 
And I'm definately getting a synthetic light source just to make sure, I've just heard that it's not good for them and it's better to provide sunlight most of the time as the perfect synthetic light source for diamonds hasn't been determined yet. Also, since diamonds are found in Newcastle, and my diamond has access to light and warmth from the sun every day. Wouldn't that be enough in late spring and summer for the snake to thrive? Wild snakes bask in the sun. They don't have heat pads. So saying that the heat in Newcastle is nowhere near hot enough for a diamond makes no sense since they live in this environment.

I'm not a first time snake owner, I'm a first time diamond owner. I am also a perfectionist and worry and ask lots of questions to make sure I'm doing the right thing. :p

And I research reptiles everyday. It is my addiction. Been researching diamonds for the past few months before I got mine but want some more opinions.
 
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yes it would be enough, just as long as its direct sunlight, (UV from the sun does not pass through glass)
 
Course it's direct sunlight. :)
I'm well aware of uv and glass. I did go to highschool once upon a time. Haha
 
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