Getting a Gray-Banded Kingsnake...

A few more questions on temps... I know the warm spot should be low 80's to low 90's... basking spot maybe slightly higher; cool side should be 70-75.

Is it okay to have an 80 degree cool side? The RHP heats the cage quite a bit, but maybe it will be a lot cooler under the rocks.
Should I do any kind of night drop? I know they can go to 60's no problem in winter, and maybe it would seem more natural to them? Maybe giving them cooler temperatures at night will benefit them in some ways...

Also humidity isn't a real biggie right? With them being a desert species...

Thanks!

which locality holds its color the best? and has the biggest bands?

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

A few more questions on temps... I know the warm spot should be low 80's to low 90's... basking spot maybe slightly higher; cool side should be 70-75.

Is it okay to have an 80 degree cool side? The RHP heats the cage quite a bit, but maybe it will be a lot cooler under the rocks.
Should I do any kind of night drop? I know they can go to 60's no problem in winter, and maybe it would seem more natural to them? Maybe giving them cooler temperatures at night will benefit them in some ways...

Also humidity isn't a real biggie right? With them being a desert species...

Thanks!

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I would go a little cooler than 80. What I have noticed with mine, even in my room where it is 68 at night, they are always on the cool end except after being fed. Day temps on the cool end get to around 73-75 and the warm spot around 85. If you can, post a pic of your setup.

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Originally Posted by Lucas339

which locality holds its color the best? and has the biggest bands?

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All of the locales have unique variations. I couldn't say one looks better than another.

FWIW I love my Black Gap locality female

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...i/P8040007.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...i/P5070010.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...i/P5070012.jpg

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Originally Posted by Brandon Osborne

I would go a little cooler than 80. What I have noticed with mine, even in my room where it is 68 at night, they are always on the cool end except after being fed. Day temps on the cool end get to around 73-75 and the warm spot around 85. If you can, post a pic of your setup.

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That's interesting, because I know I'll be able to get 75 if the hot spot is only 85... thanks again.

Of course I'm quarantining it first, so he's just in a glass tank with a heat pad on one side (tstat controlled).

The good cage I have for him is a 36x24x15 AP cage divided, so his side is only 24x18. I take it this is enough right?

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

That's interesting, because I know I'll be able to get 75 if the hot spot is only 85... thanks again.

Of course I'm quarantining it first, so he's just in a glass tank with a heat pad on one side (tstat controlled).

The good cage I have for him is a 36x24x15 AP cage divided, so his side is only 24x18. I take it this is enough right?

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Quarantine is a good practice. It's nice to see someone actually doing it. A 24x18 cage is plenty big even for the largest adults. Post pics when you get him/her.

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Originally Posted by Brandon Osborne

Quarantine is a good practice. It's nice to see someone actually doing it. A 24x18 cage is plenty big even for the largest adults. Post pics when you get him/her.

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To be honest when I got my second and third snake I didn't quarantine because I hadn't heard about it anywhere :oops:

BUT.... those days are over. I can't wait to put him in his real cage though, it'll look so sweet!

You've helped me a lot, thanks again!

Uh oh... I think I have a problem...

So I have that cage divided, but the Ball Python side is really heats up the other cage... right now with the RHP in the side that the Grayband should be in at 85, the cool side is 83 :(

I don't think I can keep a grayband in that cage!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Uh oh... I think I have a problem...

So I have that cage divided, but the Ball Python side is really heats up the other cage... right now with the RHP in the side that the Grayband should be in at 85, the cool side is 83 :(

I don't think I can keep a grayband in that cage!!

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Are you heating the ball side with a RHP, and that is heating the cage, or is it belly heat? You can always unplug the RHP if that is the case. It doesn't have to be exactly 85 on the hot spot.