Confused about thermostats

[JessPets]

So I'm a bit confused on how thermostats can be programmed. Can they be set for one temp during the day and another for night? Or does it only allow one temp?? Sorry if my question is a bit confusing.

Basically what I mean, is I know snakes need certain hot spot temperatures during the day (let's say it's 85º)
They also need a different one for night (let's say this one is 72º)

Can I set it so it keeps the hot spot at 85º for 12-14 hours and 72º for 10-12 hours? Or if I set it at 85º will it only stay at 85º, day and night? Sorry again for the long confusing question

[PitOnTheProwl]

You would need one with a night drop however you do not need to drop the temperature ever unless you are planning on breeding and even then you still dont need to drop the temperature.

[cchardwick]

Cheap thermostats don't have a night drop feature. I just picked up a couple Herpstat 4 thermostats, you can set a night drop for as long as you want per 24 hours, most people drop at 12 hour intervals. Some breeders use a drop and some don't. I set my temps at 88F with no night drop, I just paired up my first pair of breeders this year with that temp setting, I think the female is about to lay eggs! Some people never do a night drop and breed just fine, personally I don't think you need it.

[JessPets]

Oh!! That clears things up so much, thank you both!!