Temperature Fluxes - How much is okay?

[hellosugaree]

Originally Posted by Teal

Thanks for the responses yall. In answer to some suggestions and comments...

I am not a breeder. I caught a Kingsnake off the road, brought her home for some pictures, planned to feed her a meal, and probably let her go. She laid a clutch during that time (which was a week). I woke up one morning to it, having NEVER had ANY experience with incubating reptile eggs previously, so I did what I could. The only reason I even have a little thermometer to use, is because I keep arachnids... so I took the thermometer out of my arachnid holding tank and put it in there (my arachnid set up is stable and long running, and the thermometer really wasn't necessary at this point anyways)

I don't have a thermostat or heat gun. I also don't have the money to get either tool. I'm a ranch worker in a very rural town, and the nearest pet store is over two hours away. I live in ranchhand quarters, which are basically barracks - so no closet, basement, etc.

It did only get down to 70 (and I think it was actually 72) once (and I think 75 once?) at the beginning when I was still trying to figure out how much the heat pad was going to heat the cooler. It's the spikes to 90 I am more worried about... but then it's only going from 90 down to 82 at the coolest now, but I am doing my best to keep it 84-87.

I know these conditions aren't ideal. I would never have intentionally put an egg clutch into this situation. But I feel responsible for them, because I took the snake off the road.. so I'm really trying my hardest with what I have access to to give these guys the best shot I can.

Maybe a lesson in not taking snakes out of their habitat? Good luck with the eggs.