As someone with a huge aquarium, I've gotten used to water feeling "cold" to the touch as I keep mine at 75F and with how convoluted water changes are with it (linking multiple hoses from the basement to the main floor since none of the sink faucets can be attached to for some reason) I've had to learn how to judge temperature that way.Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Just an important clarification here that's really easy for anyone to goof on:
Our body temperatures are about 98.6*, which is warmer than a BP (or any snake I can think of) should ever be. So while you don't want to immerse your poor snake in COLD water, please use a thermometer to check the temperature BEFORE you put a snake into it, because your hand won't think the water is warm unless it's OVER 98.6*- or in other words, unless it's TOO HOT."Luke-warm" to us is TOO warm for a snake- please don't trust your hand to tell what's safe.
If & when you ever need to soak a snake, you want the water temperature to be about 77*-85*, and no warmer, for their safety & well-being. Remember it's very hard for a snake to express discomfort- it's up to us to keep them safe.(Incidentally this is also why our snakes always "feel cold" to us.)
Of course, I still utilized an actual digital thermometer when I had to give my BP soaks after his bad shed to ensure it was a cozy 80F.
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