Strangest snake ever

[jpsteele80]

I'm convinced my retic doesn't Like heat, ate again Saturday night and right back to the cool side of the cage, I've only seen her under the heat once since I got her and that was when she was out shedding so I don't even really know if that counts, the hot side is only 88 so who know. Most snakes at least use the heat to digest, not my little weirdo.

[sharthun]

I'm convinced my retic doesn't Like heat, ate again Saturday night and right back to the cool side of the cage, I've only seen her under the heat once since I got her and that was when she was out shedding so I don't even really know if that counts, the hot side is only 88 so who know. Most snakes at least use the heat to digest, not my little weirdo.

Maybe she's conserving energy?

[jpsteele80]

Yeah but conserve energy for what?

[sharthun]

Yeah but conserve energy for what?

It was just a guess LOL She may just like the cool side.

[jpsteele80]

It was just a guess LOL She may just like the cool side.

That's what I'm guessing, but it's just weird that she doesn't even use the hot side to digest her food

[smy_749]

Lower the heat on the hot side. If shes not using it, maybe its too warm for her. Lower it to 86, then 84, then 82. Observe her and change accordingly.

[jpsteele80]

Lower the heat on the hot side. If shes not using it, maybe its too warm for her. Lower it to 86, then 84, then 82. Observe her and change accordingly.

Yeah I was thinking about dropping it another 2 degrees and seeing what happened

[dave himself]

I'm convinced my retic doesn't Like heat, ate again Saturday night and right back to the cool side of the cage, I've only seen her under the heat once since I got her and that was when she was out shedding so I don't even really know if that counts, the hot side is only 88 so who know. Most snakes at least use the heat to digest, not my little weirdo.

:) looks like we both got freaks, Jenny does the same thing :D

[CosmicOwl]

I've noticed that my adult corn snake is similar. Always hanging out in the cooler areas of his cage. Overheating definitely seems more of a threat to most snakes than becoming to cold.

[millertime89]

What's the temp on both ends at? Also how big is she?

[millertime89]

I've noticed that my adult corn snake is similar. Always hanging out in the cooler areas of his cage. Overheating definitely seems more of a threat to most snakes than becoming to cold.

Corn snakes should be kept cooler anyways. They come from a temperate climate.

[jpsteele80]

What's the temp on both ends at? Also how big is she?

Right now it's 88 hot end and 80 cool end, going to drop it 2 degrees to 86 and 78 and go from there

[jpsteele80]

:) looks like we both got freaks, Jenny does the same thing :D

Lol nothing wrong with having freaks

[millertime89]

Go to 76/86

[CosmicOwl]

Corn snakes should be kept cooler anyways. They come from a temperate climate.

I know. His temps are kept within normal corn snake ranges, but he seems to prefer room temperature.

Even snakes from sub-tropical or tropical locations aren't always going to be at 85-90+ degrees. They're going to retreat into the shade, or underground where it can be significantly cooler. And as I said, I think the risk of overheating is more dangerous that being too cool. Being a few degrees too warm can easily kill.

[jpsteele80]

Go to 76/86

Ill try that

[millertime89]

I know. His temps are kept within normal corn snake ranges, but he seems to prefer room temperature.

Even snakes from sub-tropical or tropical locations aren't always going to be at 85-90+ degrees. They're going to retreat into the shade, or underground where it can be significantly cooler. And as I said, I think the risk of overheating is more dangerous that being too cool. Being a few degrees too warm can easily kill.

I'm well aware. Most tropical species you'll find try to maintain an internal body temperature of 80-82F. I've found my snakes stay the healthiest if the gradient averages in this range. 76/86 should be spot on for tropical species.

[MM1]

I've noticed that my Haitian Boa seems to alternate between the cool areas (72-75 F) and the fringes of the warm spot (most of the perimeter is around 80) under the radiant heat panel (which is at 86 F right underneath). He only stays in the warmest spot in the event I end up with a rat more towards the large end of the spectrum than medium for a given meal. And that's only for about a day.

[Freebody]

i suggest using under tank heaters with a herpstat for large bodied snakes, Its pretty hard to keep there body mass good and warm i find with just keeping the air temps right. make sure you have a big enough area not cover as well, but even that cool spot your leaving will be warm enough for her to still keep her body mass nice and warm yet shes in the cool ambient spot on the tank she prefers. i say she as that what mine is like as well and im not sure the sex of yours :)

[MCB]

Mine seem to prefer the cooler side. My gradients are a high of 88f low of 76f using RHP.

Try not too get hung up on temps mate, as long as you've a decent gradient they'll be fine.

[jpsteele80]

Mine seem to prefer the cooler side. My gradients are a high of 88f low of 76f using RHP.

Try not too get hung up on temps mate, as long as you've a decent gradient they'll be fine.

I just thought it was weird is all, I lowered the hot side down to about 86 and sure enough she was out under her light this morning, I'm going to get a RHP for her next tank I'm going to build here very soon, I don't like heat lamps because they dry out the air to fast.

[MCB]

I just thought it was weird is all, I lowered the hot side down to about 86 and sure enough she was out under her light this morning, I'm going to get a RHP for her next tank I'm going to build here very soon, I don't like heat lamps because they dry out the air to fast.

I won't use anything else now but RHP, the ambient temps are fantastic and my vivs are pretty large. Mine are only 65w too, not like the 150/200w ceramics I used to burn!

[sharthun]

I won't use anything else now but RHP, the ambient temps are fantastic and my vivs are pretty large. Mine are only 65w too, not like the 150/200w ceramics I used to burn!

Yeah once you switch to RHP's, there's no going back! They work awesome! Especially for heating ambient air.