Too much time on my hands..

Strutter769 · 01-05-12, 03:55 PM

Temperature Fluctuations - I have heard from breeders say "I keep my neonates at xx° using Brand A 'stat etc.." What are your thoughts on allowing temperatures to fluctuate a few degrees (within reason, obviously) each day. Of course this would much more closely match that happens in nature, but what are the chances of a normal change from day to day actually enhancing the animal's immune system, maybe increase activity (exercise moving about the cage to thermo-regulate), therefore improving digestion, bowel activity etc.. I'm sure there are more obvious benefits as well, but what are the negative aspects or cons to doing this?

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

Swany · 01-05-12, 04:22 PM

As a new owner this is something i was starting to get worried about, my royals viv does fluctuate during the day by a few degrees and for the first week or so I was constantly tinkering with thermostat, but I kinda figured that temps in the snakes natural environment will rise and fall, so for the last few days Iv'e left it alone

theapexgerman · 01-05-12, 05:19 PM

I'm fairly new to snakes but temperature are always going up and down in my house by 3-5 degrees and my snakes do just fine

**millertime89** · 01-05-12, 05:24 PM

I don't think it should be too much of a problem, they'll thermoregulate to what they want, as long as ambient is in the safe range, it shouldn't matter.

theapexgerman · 01-05-12, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

I don't think it should be too much of a problem, they'll thermoregulate to what they want, as long as ambient is in the safe range, it shouldn't matter.

agree what he said

Swany · 01-05-12, 05:32 PM

Thanks guys.
From a paranoid new owner lol

**millertime89** · 01-05-12, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swany

Thanks guys.
From a paranoid new owner lol

I'm a paranoid new-ish owner, I just read a TON.

Strutter769 · 01-05-12, 07:42 PM

Thanks everyone. Now you've mentioned temps fluctuating during the day, what about from day-to-day? What if it's dead on 77° one day and the next, it's 82 most of the day? Would you be concerned about getting the temps lower that day?

Also, any opinions on whether a slight change from each day may help to "strengthen" the animals immune system, or maybe tolerance, or any other actual benefits of temp changes?

Gungirl · 01-05-12, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strutter769

Thanks everyone. Now you've mentioned temps fluctuating during the day, what about from day-to-day? What if it's dead on 77° one day and the next, it's 82 most of the day? Would you be concerned about getting the temps lower that day?

Also, any opinions on whether a slight change from each day may help to "strengthen" the animals immune system, or maybe tolerance, or any other actual benefits of temp changes?

I don't see how the temps would have an effect on their immune system. Snakes adjust there sleeping/hiding zone to accommodate changes. I think all the little fluctuation in temp will do is get them to move into different area's at different times or even change their "favorite" spot.

Then again I don't know much but to me it's not a huge deal. Temps change in life all the time and as long as you don't freeze them or cook them ( to cold/to hot) your snake will be fine.
I try to keep my temps with in reason. I let my corn snakes tank stay at house temp weather that be 65 on a cold day or 80 on a hot day. He does have a heat pad for when it gets cold. My GTP, boa and my BP I keep more regulated but if it changes 2-3 degrees im not going to jump up and change anything.

Strutter769 · 01-06-12, 01:15 PM

Thanks, Kat! As you mentioned, the snake will adjust and find the spot that best suits them. I think that alone is a benefit. I mentioned before, exercise, improved bowel activity, and possibly most important, brain activity. Exploring, experiencing, you could even go as far as saying decision - making. Hehe, did I go a little too far on that last one?

Strutter769 · 01-07-12, 12:16 AM

I'll take the silence to mean "yes!"

Lol Just kidding! That face just cracked me up!

presspirate · 01-07-12, 03:37 AM

Temperature is never consistent in nature. +/- a couple degrees won't hurt. As was said above your snakes will thermo regulate. Also be aware from where you are measuring your temps. You have air temps and surface temps, hot side and cold side and a grey are in between you'll never have dead on perfect temps in every cubic inch of your enclosure.