The 80-92 degree heat gradient, where did it originate from?

[OhhWatALoser]

This is only an opinion but I believe the gradient is more due to their physiology. They need these gradients to thermoregulate just as humans do internally. If you give them just a single temp they are stuck regardless of what internal temp is better for a certain situation, by giving them a gradient you allow them to choose what they need. Depending how far they are below ground they can definitely find temperature gradients below ground. I assume the original idea was to have the mean temp of a tank close to what they would encounter in the wild and have a few degrees above and below to allow for thermoregulation. At least that is what I would do. I definitely think people have tinkered with it over the years especially when you talk about breeding drops and such.

Yeah, conditions in captivity needs to be more on point, because they can't go anywhere else. In the wild, if they're too hot, they can find a cooler place. If they're too cool, they can find a warmer place. But they're kinda stuck with whatever we provide in an enclosure.

Sure we can come up with scenarios were they do thermoregulate but has that actually been observed? or do they just stay put where ever is secure? I know my ball pythons would choose a small igloo over a heatmat in the middle of the floor. also I would think the animal would have a target temp to maintain, why don't we just keep them at that temp? Sure heat helps them digest faster I know that has been observed, but do they actually do that in the wild? From what I can see they really don't encounter temps over termite mound temps too often. Gravid females bowl wrap in what appears to be an attempt to cool down eggs but What other conditions do they actually need different temps though? are our animals moving from cold to hot because of the hotspot?

sure it seems like I am just trying to play devils advocate, but honestly the cookie cutter way to take care of these animals in no way resembles their natural environment from what I can see. Now obviously these animals thrive just fine as pretty much all of us have proven. However I was hoping to find a source to this cookie cutter method and possibly the progression of that source just to see why. This curiosity stems from some people who have moved to the ambient only set up, which in their eyes resembles a natural environment better. I even talked with one breeder who is having way better breeding results now. So naturally I do my research and I'm starting to agree with their logic, but I want to cover all my bases, why do we take care of them the way we do? because I couldn't find it.

Hey! I was just reading one of his studies! That's a good lead.
I found "Survey of the Status and Managment of the Royal Python in Ghana". Interesting read.

I read that study is what that video was based off of. I did skim through it and didn't find anything about temperatures. Did have some interesting parts though. Looks like the video is pretty elusive, amazon is out of stock for the dvd, the site that used to sell it is no longer there. Don't see anything online.