Thermoregulation.

[ilovemysnake]

Currently, Turbo's under the heat lamp (i know i have to get a uth once i get my check) so im not worried about him.
It's Turbine, my luecy texas rat. i've noticed she never comes out of the hide to regualate (thermoregulate) her body... the hide used to be on the cool side, but now im worried about her getting to cold, so i put it in the middle. good or bad to move it?

Also, i just posted pics to their page, feel free to check them out!

https://www.facebook.com/TurboAndTurbine

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

Currently, Turbo's under the heat lamp (i know i have to get a uth once i get my check) so im not worried about him.
It's Turbine, my luecy texas rat. i've noticed she never comes out of the hide to regualate (thermoregulate) her body... the hide used to be on the cool side, but now im worried about her getting to cold, so i put it in the middle. good or bad to move it?

Also, i just posted pics to their page, feel free to check them out!

https://www.facebook.com/TurboAndTurbine

you need one hide for each side at the least so that your snake doesn't choose between security and thermoregulation.

It's best to litter the floor with cover so your snake has a wide range for both security and thermoregulation.


Other then that, if your temperatures and humidity are in check, let the snake do it's thing. Snakes have evolved to know what temperature they should be at if the proper range is in place.

[ilovemysnake]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

you need one hide for each side at the least so that your snake doesn't choose between security and thermoregulation.

It's best to litter the floor with cover so your snake has a wide range for both security and thermoregulation.


Other then that, if your temperatures and humidity are in check, let the snake do it's thing. Snakes have evolved to know what temperature they should be at if the proper range is in place.

there's three hides. one on hot, one on cold, one in middle. on the floor there are fake plants.

[Mikoh4792]

So what are you talking about when you say this?

the hide used to be on the cool side, but now im worried about her getting to cold, so i put it in the middle. good or bad to move it

[ilovemysnake]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

So what are you talking about when you say this?

they would both always go in their big humid hides on the cool side. they dont use the other two. SO now i have the hides they use in the middle. so theyre not too hot or too cold. was me doing so a bad idea? My fiance thinks i shouldnt have done it.

[ilovemysnake]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

So what are you talking about when you say this?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater


i just posted a picture so you can see. i tagged each hide

[Lankyrob]

I have one hide each end and then LOTS of cover in between, there is never an issue with adding more hides/cover.

[Starbuck]

You need to invest in somr acuarate thermometers. Those sticl on the wall type are very innacuarate, additionslly q hy bother measuring humidity and temperature 8 inches off the ground when your snake is instead in its hide?

[Terranaut]

Thermoregulation is not an exact thing. A snakes perfect temperature isn't constant. Sometimes they need extra heat and will raise their body yemps by basking on the heat source ( digestion, infection, shedding) and other times require it to drop below the "norm" (fasting, reproduction, shedding) so trying to understand your snakes day to day needs is next to impossible. So the idea is to provide an over warm and an underwarm spot in your viv at each end. This will provide a gradiant and allow the snake to find an area of whatever temp they like in between the two areas. Another factor is that snakes will almost always choose security over perfection so they will sit in your provided hides and scoot from one to the other (for snakes thatbuse hides) to regulate their temps. Adding a lot of leaves or plants between the hides give the snake a "safe" path between them. So they will make the change as required rather than wait until absolutely necessary. Allowing your sbake to move more securely increases exercise and keeps your snake healthy. Keep all of this in mind when setting up your vivs. So in short provide husbandry but don't force it or attempt to interfere with the snake if all requirements are there. Let the snake decide or worry about it.

[infernalis]

One of the best principals of reptile keeping is to provide plenty of options and allow the animals to chose what they want / need.

The technical term is providing gradients.

Thermal gradient and humidity gradient being key.

this is why we almost uniformly recommend a warmer "end" and cooler "end"

Now, if you really want to see your snakes have some fun, get some real dirt soil and bury your cool end hide in dirt, take a finger and poke a hole in the dirt leading into the hide.

I will warn you though, you will see less of your snake, because this hide arrangement is very attractive to them, as they really feel secure underground and will spend a bit of time down in this fake cave.

[Concept9]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Thermoregulation is not an exact thing. A snakes perfect temperature isn't constant. Sometimes they need extra heat and will raise their body yemps by basking on the heat source ( digestion, infection, shedding) and other times require it to drop below the "norm" (fasting, reproduction, shedding) so trying to understand your snakes day to day needs is next to impossible. So the idea is to provide an over warm and an underwarm spot in your viv at each end. This will provide a gradiant and allow the snake to find an area of whatever temp they like in between the two areas. Another factor is that snakes will almost always choose security over perfection so they will sit in your provided hides and scoot from one to the other (for snakes thatbuse hides) to regulate their temps. Adding a lot of leaves or plants between the hides give the snake a "safe" path between them. So they will make the change as required rather than wait until absolutely necessary. Allowing your sbake to move more securely increases exercise and keeps your snake healthy. Keep all of this in mind when setting up your vivs. So in short provide husbandry but don't force it or attempt to interfere with the snake if all requirements are there. Let the snake decide or worry about it.

I would have to agree 100% with Terranaut.

I would just like to add the this is Brumation season. Most snakes will eat less, move around less and need less heat for a few months to one degree or another.

As long has your husbandry is on par and you have the proper hides on the warm and cool side your snake will be fine.

[ilovemysnake]

Originally Posted by Starbuck

You need to invest in somr acuarate thermometers. Those sticl on the wall type are very innacuarate, additionslly q hy bother measuring humidity and temperature 8 inches off the ground when your snake is instead in its hide?

im aware. right now im not rich like everyone else is. ive said before i have to wait until my check. i was asking about the hides, not the thermometers.

[Concept9]

I get the at The Home Depot here in Canada. Maybe Lows or something down there sells them. Cheap and pretty accurate.

Springfield | Digital Suction Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer with Suction | Home Depot Canada

Also I noticed your using repti-carpet, personally I would remove this, its a bacteria breeding ground.

If you switch over to Cyprus-Mulch this will hold ALOT of humidity.

Hope this helps.

[KORBIN5895]

Well since you're not rich like me I would suggest having everything set up for your next snake before purchasing your next one.

[Starbuck]

Originally Posted by MBK Boy

I get the at The Home Depot here in Canada. Maybe Lows or something down there sells them. Cheap and pretty accurate.

Springfield | Digital Suction Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer with Suction | Home Depot Canada

Also I noticed your using repti-carpet, personally I would remove this, its a bacteria breeding ground.

If you switch over to Cyprus-Mulch this will hold ALOT of humidity.

Hope this helps.

Also, you should be able to buy an entire 50lb bag of cypress mulch for around 6$ from a hardware store. This will tie in with waynes suggestion of allowing your snakes to burrow. It will help to maintain humidity, make them feel secure, etc, and is much easier to clean than reptile carpet. You won't have to disturb your snake every time they poop and remove their ENTIRE substrate to clean one spot.