Temperature Question

[The Emperor]

I just wanted to make sure that I am thinking correctly when it comes to the temperatures that we need to maintain in our cages. Am I correct in saying that the temperatures that we are looking to maintain are the temperatures at the bottom of the cage and not the ambient temperature? I am asking because I can get the temperatures on the substrate where they should be, but the ambient temperatures are always about 10 degree's cooler. Am I thinking correctly, or do I need to get me ambient temps closer to the belly heat temps?

[daniel1983]

What are your temperatures?

[justcage]

Belly heat 90-95
Ambient temps 80-85

The ambient temps are the air temps only.. The air will be hotter on the warm side of course but not by much...

[frankykeno]

I would think that the ambient temp vs the substrate temp would differ depending on the type of caging you are using and it's ability to keep heat/humidity in. We use 6 to 7 inch deep Sterlites so don't see all that big a difference in air temp vs temps directly on the substrate or inside the hides.

We measure our temps in two places....the ambient air temp on the cool side and the temp inside the warm side hide (probe is tucked just under and inside their warm side hides).


~~Jo~~

[The Emperor]

Thanks guys. My temperatures...both belly heat and ambient are right in-line with everyones recommendations...just wanted to make sure I was thinking correctly....I've had a long week.

[frankykeno]

Nahhhh you've just got the usual raging case of OCD we all get with snake ownership (how's my temps? has that darn snake pooped? who ate? who didn't eat? why didn't they eat? worry...worry...worry!). I swear it does get easier as time goes on and you learn to trust the integrity of your enclosure and your own abilities as well as getting to know how your snake reacts to things.

I'm down to a twice a day check on the snake's and their enclosures. Considering my once maniac worry over every little thing I consider this a huge step forward LOL. (You can all remind me of this statement the next time something goes wrong and I'm in the forum going "help...shoot...what did I do wrong!!!!!" )


~~Jo~~