Things have changed

Huh. If one has a sick bird or fish, it is generally recommended that the heat be raised.

Nevertheless, I often question the recommended temperatures for general snake husbandry. Assuming the wild BP would spend most of it's time in a termite mound, what are the ambient temperature and humidity inside the mound?

I notice this with snakes native to cooler areas. Garters can live up in Canada, but the recommended temps are given as if they were only found in FL. Even here in NM, it frequently isn't all that warm. I find the snakes in shadey, cooler areas of the yard. I understand they need the heat to digest, but I don't think the wild ones spend much time in the recommended ambient temps.

Last night, I was reading a caresheet for Peruvian cave roaches, and the usual warm 80-something temp. was given. Caves tend to be a bit chilly. Is the name a mis-nomer? Wish we had more complete info.

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Originally Posted by distaff

Huh. If one has a sick bird or fish, it is generally recommended that the heat be raised.

Nevertheless, I often question the recommended temperatures for general snake husbandry. Assuming the wild BP would spend most of it's time in a termite mound, what are the ambient temperature and humidity inside the mound?

I notice this with snakes native to cooler areas. Garters can live up in Canada, but the recommended temps are given as if they were only found in FL. Even here in NM, it frequently isn't all that warm. I find the snakes in shadey, cooler areas of the yard. I understand they need the heat to digest, but I don't think the wild ones spend much time in the recommended ambient temps.

Last night, I was reading a caresheet for Peruvian cave roaches, and the usual warm 80-something temp. was given. Caves tend to be a bit chilly. Is the name a mis-nomer? Wish we had more complete info.

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A termite mound averages 87 degrees. This is because snakes value security more than optimal temps. That temp is based on the inside of the mound, not near the edge of it which is where I imagine a BP spends its time. Snakes tend to run from hot spots in my experience and I don't even offer them anymore.

Hi,

I suspect a lot of the confusion may be coming simply from the focus of these forums.

We mainly advocate one simple to achieve set of variables as we know we get a lot of new or inexperienced owners. It will help them keep their new companions happy and healthy and suit most of the animals needs.

We also know there are considerable variations on the theme that will suit the requirements of the animals - this was mainly why we set up the "advanced husbandry" section where the variables can be shared and the pro's and cons of each discussed. ;)

The basic rule of "if it isn't broken don't fix it" applies but, if you find an animal with different preferences, and you know how to recognise this when you see it then there are many places to find the information.

The Barkers (VPI ) for example do things differently than I do - but I implicitly trust their knowledge and observational skills as biologists to make sure they are meeting the animals needs. I do not feel I have their skill set to the degree that I would be comfortable relying on it to spot problems with my own animals however. :cool:


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by distaff

Huh. If one has a sick bird or fish, it is generally recommended that the heat be raised.

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In terms of combating a virus or infection, you can either raise or lower temperature. The goal is to get away from the viruses preferred reproduction temperature. If for example, a virus likes 80 F, then moving down to 75 F or up to 85 F will slow viral reproduction and aid in recovery. You might consider it like artificially inducing fever like people experience. The body raises its temperature in an effort to make it a less hospitable place for infectious agents.

Admittedly, my knowledge of fish is quite poor, but in warm-blooded animals like birds and mammals raising temperature is preferred to lowering as far as outcomes are concerned. In cold-blooded animals like fish and reptiles, I suspect you could go either way as long as you are modulating body temperature without hitting undesirable extremes. Certainly raising a reptiles body temperature to that of of a mammals for long periods could cause serious harm.

I only have one BP but wanted to add my two cents in as well. Before I discovered this site, (about a year into my first and only BP) I had my BP in a tank where the ambient temps during the winter would never get higher than 72-73F. Humidity was always a challenge as I had him in a glass tank and was probably rarely in the correct range. Oddly enough, this was the most consistent year of feeding I had for him. I would guess that this was due to him being a baby and had a stronger feeding response than he does now. I am in no way saying anyone should keep their BPs in this type of setting. I've had everything in the "norm" for the past two and a half years and have had a T8 for over a year now which makes keeping a breeze. I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning and got lucky but I am amazed at how forgiving BPs are.