Hot Spot temp

[marisa]

Hi!

When doing my research I read that GTP's should be provided with a 88 hot spot. My guy has 88 degree hot spot, 76-80 degree cold end 24/7. He literally has NEVER EVER sat at the 88 spot. I did come across quite a few websites and keepers who say usually they pick around 85-86 for most of their time.

Should I lower my hot spot to this or leave it up at 88 just in case? Either way, I am just curious, What temp do your Chondros spend the majority of their time?

Marisa

[Syst3m]

I've heard the same thing, and put my hot side up to 88 degrees and he also never gets near it. I dropped it to around 85 and he seems to be much more willing to regulate him self more often.

If you snake never looks like it is thermo regulating itself then he is telling you something.

[BoidKeeper]

I'm with you guys, 88 and he never touchs it. I read a great article in the 2004 Reptiles Mag Annual by Greg Maxwell and he says horizontal gradiant from 78-88. He knows a thing or two I guess. However we need to take cues from our animals. Collette Sutherlands says that if they are spending all their time on the cool end then they are too hot. If they are spending all their time on the hot side then they are too cold.
Maybe we have Chondros that like it a bit cooler than 88?
Cheers,
Trevor

[marisa]

I think so. I asked on Greg Maxwells forum and got a reply just like your guys, basically more Chondros not using 88 degrees. I find it odd that in some of the same reading you'll find it recommend an 88 hot spot, yet say they usually sit at around 86 for most of their time.

I am gonna plan to lower my hot spot to 86 for a couple days, see what happens. As of now I am seeing no thermoregulation which like you mentioned Trevor is a clue to whats going on with temps and the snakes preferance.

Marisa

[Clownfishie]

My hot spot is around the 85-86 mark, and Kaehne seems to spend about an equal amount of time at either end, although obviously more time at the warm end after a meal... So that seems to be working well for him :)

Jen