UTH....The UN-stuck Tank Heater

[rtman26]

Well, my once firmly stuck UTH has become, in a word, un-stuck. I knew something was up when I looked at my UTH thermostat and it said 84 (it's set at 90). So I opened the stand under his enclosure and proceeded to have a heart attack. 3/4 of the UTH was still stuck but just enough had come off so the sensor for the thermostat could fall out.....leaving the heater unregulated for Jeebus knows how long. (hang in there, there's a point to all of this babble) When I finally got the sensor back in there and attached it to the tank with some elecctrical tape so it can't fall off again(at least until I get some aluminum tape tomorrow to make it un-un-stuck), the reading was 109.5! Wasabi was already awake, so as soon as I started messing with stuff and making noise he stuck his head out to see what was going on....and decided to climb around for a while....which was good because his cave was about 20 degrees too hot.

Here's the point: I've heard excessive temps can give BPs neurological issues, and while he seems just fine, I was wondering if anyone's snakes have been exposed to higher and ended up ok. Also, because I'm a nerd and like information, does anyone know the temperature where something can burn a BP?

Thanks everyone!

[MsMissy]

Since you said his behavior seemed normal, its very possible your layer of substrate protected him from severe damage or you caught it pretty quick. I would just check him for burns, watch him for potential neurological issues <abnormal head wobble, corkscrewing etc> and not panic. Accidents happen and you fixed it pretty quick. 100 degrees or over for prolonged periods could do damage. Maybe put him in a Luke warm soak to rehydrate? I noticed mine like to take an extra drink or 2 when I put them in their soaking tubs.

[galequin]

Looking to learn from any responses on this, I too am a nerd. Sorry I couldn't be of any help :/

[Badgemash]

Some snakes that get "cooked" do recover just fine, although it can take weeks or months to reach a full recovery. Some do not recover but do survive, and some do not make it at all. You should be on the lookout for ataxia (limp body, uncontrollable movements, spider-like head wobble), but it sounds like you caught a lucky break if he looks just fine. Do you see any redness on his belly?

As far as the actual burn temp, I'm sure someone will know an exact number but I'm afraid I don't off the top of my head.

[rtman26]

He looked fine, and just felt a little warmer than usual. I'll get him out tonight when I get home and give him a good inspection. His warm hide is one of those extra large "granite towers" and the way I put it in his cage, only about half of it sits over the uth. So he can be inside of his hide and be able to get away from the direct heat if he wants. Thanks for all of your insight!