How hot is too hot

[JD Constriction]

Something interesting to me atleast after reading Barker's book is that they believe low 90-some degrees is "too hot".

They have found that the snake's internal temp will raise up to 2 degrees during digestion. Meaning if you are at say 88 degrees surface temp then internally the snake could be 90 degrees during digestion.

Also something to think about is in the wild the animals don't get 90 degree temps all the time (think winter in Ghana or night time temps) and still digest prey during these times.

After doing some reading of Barker's book and talking with tracy a bit I decided to turn my temps down. I don't go higher than 92 on the tape which puts me at around 88 surface temp. I'd say if you are in the high 80s you are just fine.

Hope that helps

[starmom]

Hi John~

I think that when considering an ingredient that works for the Barker's, you must also consider the entire recipe.

I don't have a temp controlled snake room and so if I were to turn down the temps to 88F in all of my tubs and cages, the ambients would plummet and I would undoubtedly end up with sick snakes

I just think it's important to remind the OP that it is the mixture of environmental variables that need to be looked at in unison and not just one variable here or there

[uafgrad]

Thanks Guys(and gals)

I think I have finally found the recipe for keeping the temps. I have a UTH (actually 2, but only one in use until I get my thermostat in). I also have a 100W CHE. Three sides of the tank are enclosed in 2" rigid styrofoam insulation with reflective coating.

With this combo, Im keeping ambient temp in the tank right at 80 (+/- 1F) and the hot hide (measured inside the hide) is running 88 (+/- 1F). So far Ive been keeping humidity in the 50% range, but Im working on getting that up a little higher.

[Joe_Compel]

In my opinion....the mid 90's to 100 degrees for a hot spot for bp's is too hot.

Currently I use a few different heat sources on a few different rack styles, but the hot spot on each tops off at 90 degrees at most.....a few t-stats are set lower. Animals that have thicker substrate (I use cypress on my adults but switch to newspaper at times) on top of the heat source are exposed to slightly lower belly temps. Depending on the style of rack, the heat from the bin above the snake can act as a radiant heat panel which can lead to slightly elevated temps. Basically each system/enclosure may neat tweaking.....but 95 to 100 degrees is too hot.

For what it is worth, I keep the hot spot for hatchlings at an even lower setting (85 to 88 degrees).


If you don't have one already, buy a decent non contact temp gun. They are worth the money you pay for them, they are worth the piece of mind and often they tell you things that a probe doesn't.

Just my opinion...but know what they say about opinions....

Good luck with your set up.

[norm]

..87 is not enough heat for digestion.

Where did you get this information? I don't know of any such threshold for anything for a snake. There ideal temps, of course, but no hard and fast rules.

[uafgrad]

[QUOTE=Joe_Compel;890407]


If you don't have one already, buy a decent non contact temp gun. They are worth the money you pay for them, they are worth the piece of mind and often they tell you things that a probe doesn't.
QUOTE]

IR heat gun is in route at this point.
Thanks
I appreciate the adive and knowdelge that everyone is sharing

[Joe_Compel]

IR heat gun is in route at this point.
Thanks
I appreciate the adive and knowdelge that everyone is sharing

As soon as you get that thing, you'll be zapping everything in sight!

[starmom]

As soon as you get that thing, you'll be zapping everything in sight!

I totally agree!! Everything in sight: snake body, snake enclosure, 'catch the spot' with the dog, 'attack the dot' with the kitty..... Lol!!

[Joe_Compel]

I totally agree!! Everything in sight: snake body, snake enclosure, 'catch the spot' with the dog, 'attack the dot' with the kitty..... Lol!!

It's the truth!!!

[Westcoast]

We keep our tape at 90-95 but surface temps on the aspen end up being 88 degrees.