Steady temperatures or not?

[EL Ziggy]

Originally Posted by Derek Roddy

Well, with any other snakes such as colubrids, etc.....some live in area's where it does freeze and, they have no heat source in the wild. So, in that case you should do you provide a heat source? Do you not hibernate them if they do so in the wild?

The point I was making is if you keep your animal at a natural temp range of their own temp range. Why would you not offer a night drop if that's what they get in the wild? Why would you keep them at a consistent temp if they don't get that where they come from?

D

Derek- I think I understand what you're saying about the night drop. It's makes sense that temps naturally drop in the evening. I have colubrids and I usually keep their warm side temps at a constant 86-90. How much of a night time temp drop would you suggest? 5-10 degrees maybe? I've thought about trying this before. When it comes to supplying no heat source at all and only using the rooms ambient temps, what about after a feeding should I raise the temps a bit to aid with digestion? My kings seem to prefer warmer temps than my bull. I've heard several pit owners who say they offer no heat source. I just want to make sure my girl doesn't get too cold, especially in the winter. Our summers are pretty warm and I believe they would all be ok. But there wouldn't be much of a temp gradient would there?