Semi-Deep thoughts o UTH with a question.

[200xth]

200xth The problem I have had with this method is it is not always 5º. If the room is warm it might be 2ºF but when the room cools the walls of the enclosure drop and the deviation changes. I see a variable of 5ºF up or down. At times I see only 1ºF at other times I see 6ºF. My hot spot if the probe is on the UTH the temps may range between 90-85ºF this can change in as short a space as 24 hours. I don't like having that little control. I am an odd case my room temp is unstable and changes all the time.

It was just a sample number, and yes, the variance does vary as well.

I will say something that will probably have people disagree, but I think we worry too much about maintaining perfect hotspots, or even general room temperature (at least on short term basises).

I can only speak for myself and my situation and what I've seen. I frequently have hotspots at 86 degrees. Mine seem to vary between 86 and 91. I honestly, don't care anymore, unless they are way out of whack or the heater is unplugged somehow, in which case things get too cool (obviously). I try to keep a 87 to 88 degree hotspot, but if it drops a couple of degrees (which is cooler than most people keep), I generally don't care anymore.

I've embraced the fact that this species has existed for 70+ million years, and can handle short term fluctuations in both temp and humidity. If you keep it 70 or even 75 all the time, it will end up a problem, but if the hotspot is 86 to 91 or 92, from what I've seen they do fine.

It's weird because I'm nuts about tracking snake weight and food weight (more for my information and curiosity than anything), but not nuts about keeping a strict temperature. Generally, though, mine really don't seem too concerned if the temp swings 5 or even 6 degrees. I just try to remember that even in Africa, there are abnormally cool nights.