Temperature settings for baby Brazilian Rainbow Boa

[Shauna0522]

I just got a new thermostat for my BRB and it has a Night and Day schedule option. I have read on some websites that the temperature should remain the same all day and all night for a baby and I have read on other websites that it should drop down in temperature at night, can someone please tell me what the correct answer is so that I can set my thermostat up properly for my baby. Thank you

[DJC Reptiles]

I would recommend keeping the temps the same, as long as there is no lighting involved. It is not necessary to provide night dips in temperature, and for babies this can even stress them out. Try to provide the same temperature both day and night, this will allow your baby boa to get comfortable and used to it's environment.

[Shauna0522]

I would recommend keeping the temps the same, as long as there is no lighting involved. It is not necessary to provide night dips in temperature, and for babies this can even stress them out. Try to provide the same temperature both day and night, this will allow your baby boa to get comfortable and used to it's environment.

Okay perfect that's what I've been doing I just wanted to double-check with someone now that I actually have a digital thermostat. Thank you for the quick response

[DJC Reptiles]

No problem, I am always happy to help someone in need. Plus I absolutely love BRBs.

[dannybgoode]

I would recommend keeping the temps the same, as long as there is no lighting involved. It is not necessary to provide night dips in temperature, and for babies this can even stress them out. Try to provide the same temperature both day and night, this will allow your baby boa to get comfortable and used to it's environment.

On what evidence are you basing this? I would always advocate a temperature drop at night for snakes regardless of age.

It is a perfectly natural phenomenon in the wild so why not replicate it in captivity?

All my snakes have been provided with drops similar to the drops they'd experience in the wild (so for example my Natrix natrix experiences a larger drop than say But imperator) and they all thrive and show no signs whatsoever of stress.

[DJC Reptiles]

On what evidence are you basing this? I would always advocate a temperature drop at night for snakes regardless of age.

It is a perfectly natural phenomenon in the wild so why not replicate it in captivity?

All my snakes have been provided with drops similar to the drops they'd experience in the wild (so for example my Natrix natrix experiences a larger drop than say But imperator) and they all thrive and show no signs whatsoever of stress.

Yes it is a natural effect that happens outside of captivity. In my experience providing a temperature that remains the same, does not harm the snake. Neither it would hurt the snake to provide a dip in night time temperature. Although it may be hard to do this properly. Providing both a cold section and a hot section will allow the snake to choose the temperature it wants regardless of the time of day. As long as you have both of these, the snake should be able to do perfectly fine in this type of setup. I do not have a problem with people who provide a temperature dip, but for a baby boa it may be stressful not to have a place to warm up (even if it is only a slight temperature change). You are right, many keepers provide a temperature dip and their boas remain perfectly happy. I am not saying no keeper should provide a dip in temperature, I am saying it is not needed, and therefore it is up to the keeper for what he wants his snake to experience.

[bigsnakegirl785]

As with DJD Reptiles, I choose to give them a gradient to choose from instead of dropping the temps at night. I do implement a seasonal drop for my boas paired with a winter fast or reduction in feeding, but not a night drop. The natural fall in temperature in the snake room at night is enough in and of itself to provide a slight temp drop at night if that is indeed needed, at least on the cool end.

[dannybgoode]

You do provide a night drop though by one means or another.

I provide a gradient and a night time drop so the whole gradient drops a couple of degrees across its range because absolutely a gradient (imo - I know we've had a vigorous debate on the forum recently about this subject) is very important.

As I say it's species specific. My tropical species only get a few degrees. My desert species a significant dip - gets chuffing cold in the desert at night.

[Shauna0522]

As with DJD Reptiles, I choose to give them a gradient to choose from instead of dropping the temps at night. I do implement a seasonal drop for my boas paired with a winter fast or reduction in feeding, but not a night drop. The natural fall in temperature in the snake room at night is enough in and of itself to provide a slight temp drop at night if that is indeed needed, at least on the cool end.
By winter fast do you mean not feeding them for a period of time and if so should I do that for Sapphire? Also what temp should I adjust to in the winter time?

[bigsnakegirl785]

You do provide a night drop though by one means or another.

I provide a gradient and a night time drop so the whole gradient drops a couple of degrees across its range because absolutely a gradient (imo - I know we've had a vigorous debate on the forum recently about this subject) is very important.

As I say it's species specific. My tropical species only get a few degrees. My desert species a significant dip - gets chuffing cold in the desert at night.

Yes, I just don't provide an intentional drop for my tropical species, as I feel the natural drop is more than enough, especially since they're already offered a gradient. :) My garters get all heat shut off entirely at night.

By winter fast do you mean not feeding them for a period of time and if so should I do that for Sapphire? Also what temp should I adjust to in the winter time?

I have not tried this with my rainbow boas, but I do fast all of my boa constrictors once they're about 2.5-3 years old. At 1.5-2 years old, I just feed half as often for about 4 months in the winter, while the older snakes completely stop getting fed for about 3 months in the winter. If for some reason I don't feel comfortable fasting an adult, I will still reduce feeding. I will then drop hot side and ambients by about 5 degrees once they finish digesting their last meal.

I don't fast them during their first winter (.5-1 years old depending on when they're born), but I do reduce feeding during the second winter (1.5-2 years), and begin fasting no earlier than their third winter (2.5-3 years). I also don't fast adults the first winter I have them, unless they have already experienced fasting periods with their previous owner. I use the first ~2 years to reduce feeding first to get them used to a reduced food intake.

I have not had enough experience with rainbows to know whether or not to advise a fasting period for them, but due to their slim body shapes, I have not really implemented such a feeding pattern for them.