Never See Bull Snake Thrmoregulate

I was just wondering if this was normal behavior, I check my temps throughout the day and I believe I have a nice gradient that ranges from 72-76 F on one side to 82-86 F on the opposite side (depending on what time of day). All readings taken on the surface of the substrate which is shredded aspen. I only see her hanging out in her cool hide. She comes out once each day around the same time for 20-30 min at around 10 A.M. and roams the whole enclosure and than its back in her cool hide. I have a hide on each side plus a store bought fake hollowed out log that allows her to get from one side of her cage to the other without being exposed too much.

I have a northern pine snake (also Pituophis) and I have also noticed him do that. I checked and re-checked temperatures, expecting him to at least occasionally use the warm side, but I literally never see him over there unless he is just cruising around and passing through. I've had him about a year and a half with no issues.

I've even moved his hide over to anywhere from completely in the warm zone to just on the edges -- He then refuses to use it and camps out generally in the cool zone. I thought this was an indication of temps that are too warm but he doesn't seem to care.

Thanks Fire-eyes good to hear your pine has been doing good for years, I guess its just normal behavior than. These guys must prefer a cooler climate, almost makes me wonder why I have heat under one side, as she didn't even use the warmer area after eating.

ive heard they can do well in cooler not cold temps, mine is the oppsite i have around the same cool side temps as your and mine will thermo regulate, he is usually on his heat pad which is at 88 idk every animal is different

For one 88 is WAY to hot for most colubrid species.

I keep all my colubrids at 82 room temp and thats it. Anything higher can casue stress,regurgitation's and not using the hot side.

I can assure you, between all my pits, the only one who stays still is the small male gopher of mine, who sits in his hide all day. The other 5 are adults, and spend a ton of time out and about never really sitting on one side or another, half the time they stretch out the whole enclosure for a nap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

For one 88 is WAY to hot for most colubrid species.

I keep all my colubrids at 82 room temp and thats it. Anything higher can casue stress,regurgitation's and not using the hot side.

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Not to mention that if it's 82-86 on top of the substrate, most snakes will end up pushing the substrate aside and it's a lot hotter on the actual cage bottom where the heating makes contact with the cage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

For one 88 is WAY to hot for most colubrid species.

I keep all my colubrids at 82 room temp and thats it. Anything higher can casue stress,regurgitation's and not using the hot side.

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88 can be too hot but 85 would be fine hot spot for a pit. You just need to make sure there is a thermal gradient.