Temperature drop when my boa is gravid?

Justinbolleurs · 12-20-15, 09:39 AM

Hi I have Nicaraguan boa that's gravid and was wondering if I should have a constant temperature or should i drop my temperature at night time? And why should or shouldn't I drop the temperature? Thanx

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Ps. My first time breeding them.

**Andy_G** · 12-21-15, 09:07 AM

There is no reason to drop the temps. A lot of boa breeders don't do night temp drops at all and their aniamls breed just fine with an adjusted photoperiod offered by residual light through windows.

**Tsubaki** · 12-21-15, 09:47 AM

I always have a night drop, its highly unnatural to have constant high temps. It's not like it stays the same temp day and night in the wild either.

**Andy_G** · 12-21-15, 10:41 AM

Definitely true, and it's totally up to you and you may get great results doing that, but for a species such as boa constrictors which occur over a rather wide range but for the most part naturally occur so close to the equator, it most certainly isn't necessary in captivity to night drop. Some people do it, some people don't, and neither party is wrong.

An FYI for the OP, the main purpose for a night temp drop is to stimulate follicular development and sperm production.

Justinbolleurs · 12-21-15, 01:22 PM

Thanx.. would an ambient temperature be better than an heating pad or some heat substance? Reason I'm asking this is, this part of south Africa is quite hot and if I put her in one of the coolest places in the house the temperature is a constant 29-30 degree Celsius but, if I put a heating pad or anything else then obviously it will get quite hot. She feels cool'ish when I touch her but she has no substance for belly heat or else it will probably get 35 in there. Through the night it cools down to a minimum of 27, if that low even.

bigsnakegirl785 · 12-21-15, 03:10 PM

From my understanding, temp drops are used before even introducing the animals. It is not used while courting, and certainly is not ever used while gravid. A gravid female needs all the heat she can get, it could harm her to drop it while she's got babies a-cookin'.

Nightflight99 · 12-21-15, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justinbolleurs

would an ambient temperature be better than an heating pad or some heat substance?

29-30 degrees Celsius is fine for ambient temperatures, but I would also provide a hot spot by using the lowest wattage heat pad that you can find. Use a rheostat or thermostat to control the hot spot, and you should be golden. The climate in Mpumalanga can be pretty brutal his time of year, but at least your heating costs are minimized...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

From my understanding, temp drops are used before even introducing the animals. It is not used while courting, and certainly is not ever used while gravid. A gravid female needs all the heat she can get, it could harm her to drop it while she's got babies a-cookin'.

The OP is asking about temperature drops in the context of nighttime drops, not cycling. Nighttime drops to 27 degrees Celsius are perfect for a gravid female.

bigsnakegirl785 · 12-21-15, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightflight99

The OP is asking about temperature drops in the context of nighttime drops, not cycling. Nighttime drops to 27 degrees Celsius are perfect for a gravid female.

Ah makes more sense.

Justinbolleurs · 12-22-15, 02:06 AM

Is there someone I can get in contract with that has a lot of hands on experience with breeding boas that I can ask questions and send pics (btw some questions might be ridicules due to my inexperience in breeding), I didn't pay attention to ovulating and stuff because most people say if two live together the chances are scarce of breeding and this wasn't a problem. If anyone volunteers to be help me out please just inbox me please.. thanx for everything guy's.