you say nocturnal, i say COFFEE NOW!!

[dkatz4]

I've read some sheets that suggest BC's sleep patterns are variable, so-called "semi-nocturnal". shenanigans!! Although i occasionally take him out during the day, my boa is never out of his hide when the light is on, whereas if i peek in on him late night with the mini flashlight he'll be climbing. But more frustrating is that i usually take him out around 9:00 PM for playtime, and he's sort of into it, but mostly just placid as i watch tv, then around 11:00 to 11:30 when i'm ready to hit the sack, he suddenly springs to life and gets all active and playful. Now what am i supposed to do, NOT stay up till 1:00AM with my suddenly social snake??
Has anyone ever tried messing with their snake's light cycle? Mine happens to be in the basement where i am in complete control of his light, i do 12 on 12 off, around 10:30 - if i made the sun rise and set earlier (damn, i feel powerful) do we think he'd "wake up" earlier in the evening?

[Kokorobosoi]

My lights come on at 4:00, tank lights at 5:30. Tanks off at 6pm, room lights around 8:30 or nine. I say you can adjust them to your schedule. Good luck!

[JoshSloane]

Adjusting light cycles can absolutely be done, but just be aware that there can be some unforeseen circumstances from creating an abnormal light cycle relative to the season. Animals, including snakes, can feel subtle changes in barometric pressure and other physical parameters. I know from personal experience that cycle shifted lab animals display strange behaviors when their light cycle doesnt correspond at least somewhat with nature. Sure you can play a little bit with sunup/sundown, but I would never completely shift them to having lights on only when it is dark outside.

[Gio]

Adjusting light cycles can absolutely be done, but just be aware that there can be some unforeseen circumstances from creating an abnormal light cycle relative to the season. Animals, including snakes, can feel subtle changes in barometric pressure and other physical parameters. I know from personal experience that cycle shifted lab animals display strange behaviors when their light cycle doesnt correspond at least somewhat with nature. Sure you can play a little bit with sunup/sundown, but I would never completely shift them to having lights on only when it is dark outside.

I 100% agree here.

There are thinks these animals have been able to sense and adapt to for millions and millions of years.

They don't change a lot because of us and our doings, even in areas that have constant temps marginally different light cycles. They still have an awareness of subtle changes in pressure, humidity and the true light cycle of mother nature.

Stay the course and enjoy your boa when it would normally be out.

Josh has some good experience and advice and I always enjoy his take on things.

[dkatz4]

Ok, this makes sense, I'm not looking to flip the night and day, actually I would be more closely following the sun as right now his "sun" rises and sets later than usual b/c I usually take him out t at night. But let me ask this: once his light turns off, can I handle him or would going from his dark enclosure to a lit room mess with his cycle?

[Gio]

Ok, this makes sense, I'm not looking to flip the night and day, actually I would be more closely following the sun as right now his "sun" rises and sets later than usual b/c I usually take him out t at night. But let me ask this: once his light turns off, can I handle him or would going from his dark enclosure to a lit room mess with his cycle?

I think he'll be just fine.

Your handling for short periods is not anything that I would be concerned with.

I do the same thing when the urge hits.

[dkatz4]

Update: Evidence of success! About the time of my last post I stated adjusting the light to turn on and off an hour to 1.5 hours earlier. I started the day before a feeding so that he'd have a few days to adjust to the new schedule without my mucking around with him. So today marked the end of my (torturous) 72 hour post-feeding no touch'm period and although he was drowsy when i took him out at 9:00, around 10:00 he sprung to life, easily an hour earlier than usual. Now i know this is jus the first day and my methods are far from scientific, but it's encouraging to get the inkling of a positive result. But, regarding "coffee now", i must admit i am still up just as late, only i got an extra hour of alert active snakey-time - fair trade