Temp. Graidiante, why have it?

I know we are supposed to have a warm side and a cool side in the tank, but why is this? It is stated all over that BPs will sit on a hot rock or next to a lamp and get burned, and will sit there and take it, reguardless of his skin burning. So, with that said, why do we need a warm and cool side if they arent gonna move if they are uncomfortable? Last night when I put on my UTH the temp of the bedding spiked to 103 degrees b4 I unplugged it to let the temp get back down. All he did was stick his head out from his hide, eye the hide on the other side that is identical to what hes in now, just on the cool side, then went back into the hot hide. If 103 degrees is too hot for them, then why would he just sit there and take it when there is an identical hide over on the cool side?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sw204me

I know we are supposed to have a warm side and a cool side in the tank, but why is this?

BPs are cool blooded and they do a thing called thermoregulation. They need a warm spot in their enclosure so that they can properly digest their food.

It is stated all over that BPs will sit on a hot rock or next to a lamp and get burned, and will sit there and take it, reguardless of his skin burning. So, with that said, why do we need a warm and cool side if they arent gonna move if they are uncomfortable?

If the temperatures are correct in your enclosure, and you use a thermostat to make sure that they do not fluctuate out of the ideal range (90-93) your snake will not get burned. It is stated not to use heat rocks because they can get to extreme temperatures that will cause burns to your animal. The same is true for UTHs, which is why it is highly recommended to use them with a thermostat or a dimmer switch.

Last night when I put on my UTH the temp of the bedding spiked to 103 degrees b4 I unplugged it to let the temp get back down. All he did was stick his head out from his hide, eye the hide on the other side that is identical to what hes in now, just on the cool side, then went back into the hot hide. If 103 degrees is too hot for them, then why would he just sit there and take it when there is an identical hide over on the cool side?

Because your snake is probably trying to digest its food and needs a temp higher than your cool side temp to do so. I suggest going out and getting a dimmer switch as a temporary fix until you can get a decent thermostat. Fluctuating temperatures are stressful to your snake, and make it more suseptable to diseases. This is why everyone should do their research and get their enclosures set up properly before purchacing an animal. It is the snake that ends up being the one that suffers. Just my :2cent:
Good luck with your setup... We're all here to help.

---

just doesnt make sense to me why an animal would stay where its being harmed. And I am picking up a controler to be able to get a solid 92-94 degrees and it be stable. Was just wondering if anyone's BP's move around the tank to be more comfortable?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sw204me

just doesnt make sense to me why an animal would stay where its being harmed.

---

There need for heat over rides the body's natural instinct to avoid pain and the temp increase can happen slowly so they might not notice till it to late.

Quote:

---

... Was just wondering if anyone's BP's move around the tank to be more comfortable?

---

I see it more in my racks than when I was using a tank first starting out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sw204me

just doesnt make sense to me why an animal would stay where its being harmed. And I am picking up a controler to be able to get a solid 92-94 degrees and it be stable. Was just wondering if anyone's BP's move around the tank to be more comfortable?

---

I observe all of my ball pythons either relaxing on the cool side or basking over their hot spot at different times during the day.

When you're keeping these animals that are dependant on external sources of heat to fuel their physiological functions it's important to give them choices ... They might choose not to use all of the choices you provide them with ... but better to offer them and have them not used than to not offer them when the snakes needs them.

Hope this helps.

-adam

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I observe all of my ball pythons either relaxing on the cool side or basking over their hot spot at different times during the day.

-adam

---

Mine never leaves his hide over on the warm side....ever.....but could also be cause the warm and cool side are different by only a few degrees, which I am getting fixed later tonight.


You guys always help, which is why I post on here, im so new to these things is scary, but I am trying to make it just right for him. its slowly coming together to where it needs to be for him. Just glad you all are willing to put up with my noobness :confused: , :P

And as always thanks for all the help.

Mine spends about the same amount in the cool and warm hides. After eating though it seems to always stay in the warm hide

hmmm, maybe hes sick? when hes awake, which is ONLY when I take him out of his tank he moves around alot and flicks his tongue which I read is a good thing to see, but if I leave him alone he never moves...should I be concerned?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sw204me

hmmm, maybe hes sick? when hes awake, which is ONLY when I take him out of his tank he moves around alot and flicks his tongue which I read is a good thing to see, but if I leave him alone he never moves...should I be concerned?

---

nope, it means he is relaxed. If you watch him at night with an infrared light you will see him move around a lot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

nope, it means he is relaxed. If you watch him at night with an infrared light you will see him move around a lot.

---

Thats what I mean, he doesnt even come out at night... :(