Temps

[Wizwise2000]

I put the thermometer right on the surface so I could properly gauge his temps, the cool side is about 69 degrees and the warm side is around 90-91 degrees. I handled him earlier tonight before I had to leave and he was freezing cold, so I put him back in and checked back on him about half an hour ago and again, he's on the cool side in the corner, under the paper towel, so I'm assuming he's going to be freezing cold again.

Why is he doing this? Is he alright, or is he trying to kill himself?

Thanks very much to all who replies.

Shane

[HeatherK]

He's trying to avoid killing himself ;) He's probably on the cool side to avoid the hot side - which is too hot at 90. Lower your temps on the warm side to 85 or so (but no higher for now) and see if the snake uses it. It must be able to warm up to perform necessary functions such as digestion. You may still find he likes the cooler side when he's not in shed or digesting food, but he shouldn't be avoiding it always.

[marisa]

90 will NOT kill a cornsnake that has access to a 69 degree cool side!

ALL my corns have access to 90 degree hot spots for the past two+ years. All of them are perfectly fine. With a true gradient they can and will use 90 degree hot spots. Mind you, a true gradient is not 90 then immediatly 69 and nothing in between.

Marisa

[HeatherK]

Actually, I am well aware of that, I was making a comment in reference to Shane's "suicide" question.

My corn personally does not ever need to use that hot of a basking spot, even though I keep it quite warm sometimes after a nice meal, just to be sure.

[MouseKilla]

Why is the cool end 69 degrees? Bring him INDOORS! lol!

I couldn't stand it if it was that cold in my basement let alone all over my house. I have most of my snakes in my bedroom and I keep that in the low to mid-eighties at all times. The colubrids don't need any extra heat. The rest of my house is rarely cooler than 75. I hate being cold and I don't want to wear slippers and sweaters in the winter, I'm indoors and should be comfortable naked, dammit. At 69 I'd be breaking up furniture for firewood. Fire before pants, that's what I say. lol

[Wizwise2000]

Is 69 too cold when he has access to 90 degrees?

Thanks
Shane

[MouseKilla]

It won't kill him. Corns brumate at temps in the 50's so they can take it. It's too cold for me is all I'm saying.

[HeatherK]

69 cool side and 90 warm side is probably too extreme for your snake if there's no temperature gradient. What is it in the middle? When one of the sides is too hot or cold, the snake will tend to avoid it by keeping to the other side. Does it ever move over?

MouseKilla: You crack me up :D I agree, our house is not kept nearly warm enough in the winter, I still freeze in my own home. End up hibernating in my room (heater equipped) :rolleyes:

[marisa]

RELAX WIZWISE!

Seriously. You seem to panic a lot.

1. If you have a gradient, the temps you mentioned are 100% FINE.
2. 69 May be too cold for Mousekilla, but for a cool side, its FINE. My house hovers between 70-76.
3. With a proper gradient 90 is perfectly fine. Lower the hot spot if you think it's too hot. Around 84 is just fine and will save you electricity.

Just relax. :) :) Stop moving your cornsnake to where YOU think he should be. If he has acess to temps ranging from 70-90 then HE will choose where he wants to be. You placing him where YOU think he should be goes against all the things that have evolved to make them thermoregulate. If he has acess to the range in temps, he can make his own choice perfectly fine without human help.

Marisa

[Wizwise2000]

The middle is about 71-72.


Marisa: You're always lots of help:) Thank you very much!!

Shane