Does anybody not use a hot spot?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Why? Because I can and it is the most efficient way to do it in the current snake room.

During the winter I maintain an ambient temps of 76/78 in the room with a oil filled heater and provide a hot spot, when temps start warming up the snake room naturally gets to 84/86 degrees (the room is located right under the roof), I could use the AC get the ambient temps to 76/78 and provide a hot spot but I found it counter productive and energy inefficient when all I have to do is simply take advantage of the room temp as it is. The care is the same their core temps is about 85 which is warm enough to facilitate digestion.

Now for someone who gets started I highly recommend to start of with optimal temps and gradient of 78/80 and 88/90, once they become experienced, feel comfortable enough and know their animals I would encourage them to find what works for them and their animals. (There are many successful way to keep those animals)

---

Ah I see now. :gj:

Would the same constant ambient temp work for different breeds of snakes? For example I have a Dumeril's boa and a normal ball python, both around a year and a half old. Their care isn't much different but I have noticed that my Dumeril's is never on her hot spot and I always find her curled up under her water bowl, (I'm not sure if she is doing this to cool down, or just using it as a hide :rolleyes:). So would an ambient temp be okay for different types of snakes? I'm probably going to stick with my flexwatt since I already have it, but I'm just curious.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

Ah I see now. :gj:

Would the same constant ambient temp work for different breeds of snakes? For example I have a Dumeril's boa and a normal ball python, both around a year and a half old. Their care isn't much different but I have noticed that my Dumeril's is never on her hot spot and I always find her curled up under her water bowl, (I'm not sure if she is doing this to cool down, or just using it as a hide :rolleyes:). So would an ambient temp be okay for different types of snakes? I'm probably going to stick with my flexwatt since I already have it, but I'm just curious.

---

Well I don't keep boas so I could not answer that question but I do not see why it could not be done.

I would not doubt if some boa breeders do the same thing.

I mainly breed and keep BP and all of them are kept this way as well as 2 carpet pythons and a Blood Python. I have also kept colubrids like this in the past (Kings, Milks and Bulls)

Husbandry it's all about knowing your animal and see what work for them and you won't know until you try.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Well I don't keep boas so I could not answer that question but I do not see why it could not be done.

I would not doubt if some boa breeders do the same thing.

I mainly breed and keep BP and all of them are kept this way as well as 2 carpet pythons and a Blood Python. I have also kept colubrids like this in the past (Kings, Milks and Bulls)

Husbandry it's all about knowing your animal and see what work for them and you won't know until you try.

---

Okay awesome. I might give it a try, so how will I know if it "doesn't work" so to speak? Both my snakes are eating MACHINES, so should I just watch their behavior and feeding?

I took a tour of NERD and didn't notice any heat tape in the whole place. They kept the area around 83 I would say.

I do not provide a hot spot keep the room at a constant 84 degrees for my snakes and tropical birds. Most of them eat well and all are doing great, this technique works perfect for me.

Do y'all drop the temp at night at all? Or just a constant temp?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

Do y'all drop the temp at night at all? Or just a constant temp?

---

Constant temps unless it is breeding season :gj:

I have my GTP, BRB and Bloods in the same room(all similar needs). I heat it with a oil filled heater set to 80. I do also have rhp's in the cage for a warm spot but the spots are rarely used. I live by"one is none" and try to have a redundant system whenever possible. This is easier for me though since I'm not a big breeder. Heating the room alone is good but like many have mentioned have another heat source available just in case you need it. Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

Also on a side note:
Before I got my pvc cages I kept my blood in a tub with just the room heater and she was doing great.

During the summer months when it gets warmer, I'm going to try this tactic. I'll probably unplug my flexwatt and hook my space heater up to my herpstat and keep the room at a constant 84, and see how it works for me.
I'm kinda excited to try it out!

This means I could build my own rack, and add a couple more bp morphs, without raising my power bill by not having to add extra feet of heat tape. JACKPOT! Lol :)

Anybody else have an opinion on this?