Temperature Drop Debate

I know this has been a subject that has been approached many times before, but I wanted to add another aspect that I haven't seen in other posts on here, although I heard some talk about it a lot this summer. Traditionally people have dropped temperatures to cycle their pythons, but more recently it has been shown that you do not need to do that. The other concern with dropping temperatures is the risk of respiratory infections. The snakes seem to have no issue breeding whether the temps are dropped or not, however I wonder a little about the viability of the eggs. I read a lot of proposed theories this summer that the reason people were getting slugs was due to increased temperatures. I found this to be an interesting piece of information to consider. I have always dropped temperatures in November and raised them in March, and saw eggs in May. In these clutches I had no slugs. However I have had late bloomers who didn't ovulate and lay until June and August respectively, when the temperatures were a steady 91 hot spot. In those clutches there were some slugs (as well as viable eggs). Now it may well be a coincidence, but it got me thinking about what I had heard other people say about warmer temps. I was just wondering what you all thought. I am not trying to advocate one method or the other, just providing some food for thought, and wondering what other people's opinions and experiences are :)

Well, check out this link and make up your own mind. I used to drop temps for the winter but haven't done it for years though I'm sure it does naturally drop by a few degrees in the winter. I haven't seen any increase of slugs. I do think that many people are keeping their snakes too warm year round. I personally don't think you should have a hot spot higher then 90 and frankly even that might be a bit too high. Well, here is the link. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Ghana

Here is another link that might prove helpful. - https://weatherspark.com/averages/28...er-Accra-Ghana

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Well, check out this link and make up your own mind. I used to drop temps for the winter but haven't done it for years though I'm sure it does naturally drop by a few degrees in the winter. I haven't seen any increase of slugs. I do think that many people are keeping their snakes too warm year round. I personally don't think you should have a hot spot higher then 90 and frankly even that might be a bit too high. Well, here is the link. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Ghana

Here is another link that might prove helpful. - https://weatherspark.com/averages/28...er-Accra-Ghana

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Thank you for providing those links. Have you noticed any increase in slugs since you changed from dropping temperature to not dropping temps?

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Well, check out this link and make up your own mind. I used to drop temps for the winter but haven't done it for years though I'm sure it does naturally drop by a few degrees in the winter. I haven't seen any increase of slugs. I do think that many people are keeping their snakes too warm year round. I personally don't think you should have a hot spot higher then 90 and frankly even that might be a bit too high. Well, here is the link. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Ghana

Here is another link that might prove helpful. - https://weatherspark.com/averages/28...er-Accra-Ghana

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Originally Posted by Snake Den

Thank you for providing those links. Have you noticed any increase in slugs since you changed from dropping temperature to not dropping temps?

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Sorry, couldnt resist!

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Originally Posted by aalomon

Sorry, couldnt resist!

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Sorry, that's what I get when I am reading in class instead of paying attention ;) I miss information from both. Oops

Been there, done that! Im sure you would have caught it but like I said, I couldnt resist.

Keeping your animals at high temps is more likely to lead to slugs then not dropping temps for breeding.

91 for an adult female is over killed IMO, I don't mind keeping hatchlings at higher temps also I don't even do it anymore however adults only get a hot spot (when they have one) of 88 at the very most.

As for dropping or not dropping it's about what work for you and your animals, there are many different ways to do things whether it's simple husbandry or breeding, found what works for you and don't worry about what other do.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Keeping your animals at high temps is more likely to lead to slugs then not dropping temps for breeding.

91 for an adult female is over killed IMO, I don't mind keeping hatchlings at higher temps also I don't even do it anymore however adults only get a hot spot (when they have one) of 88 at the very most.

As for dropping or not dropping it's about what work for you and your animals, there are many different ways to do things whether it's simple husbandry or breeding, found what works for you and don't worry about what other do.

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Thanks for your input! You are right about the 91. I was a little wrong the way I worded my first post. I have my thermostat set to 91, but the probe is on the heat tape outside the tubs and according to the heat gun the actual hot spot is about 89 once the heat passes through the plastic. So far I have only had one slug produced out of this rack out of 25 eggs. My way is working for me but I'm curious what other people do because I am in vet school with an inclination to be a reptile vet. I want to have as much information possible to provide the best advice possible to my future clients.