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Burned Snakes?

sbourget

sbourget

New member
Has anyone actually had a snake get burned by a uth or heat rock? I've heard people saying that 100F will burn a snake, that's pretty close to human body temp, I don't think it will actually burn a snake at that low a temp. anyone know the actual temp when a snake begins to recieve a burn?
 
I have heard of snakes being burnt by both (UTH and heat rocks). I've read not to use a heat rock at all. Also, more often than not, if the UTH is placed directly onto a glass/plastic surface, it needs some type of controlling device to regulate it (or have another form of attachment, such as to a tile that is not directly touching the glass). If not, the glass gets extremely hot to the touch, and just because there is substrate above it doesn't mean the snake is protected (since they burrow).

A UTH only needs to be warm enough to heat the top of the substate to an appropriate temp. For my snakes here in California, the heat pad is directly glued to the glass and feels like it is barely on at all.

This was a long-winded answer, but I wouldn't want to know at what point the snake is actually burning, much less risk it. Although, I am sure you were mostly asking from a curiosity standpoint, eh?
 
My friend has a Ball Python that has really nasty scars from a heat rock. He said the snake would always curl up around the rock, he has since ditched the rock. I think I heard the rocks get somewhere between 110-120F, while not extremely hot, it is concentrated heat and laying right on it for long periods of time could easily cause burns.
 
You have to remember that they have a much lower body temperature than we do so it is quite possible to burn them at a temperature that we would be fine at.
 
Experienced it first hand

Unfortunately I didn't find this site until after I had purchased 2 hatchling corns at a local show. I had had boas before, so I thought I knew what I was doing.

I had placed a Zoomed UTH under one side of the tank and only checked the heat on top of the substrate. I have a 20 gallon long tank and the pad was made for a 10 gallon tank. The first night the 1st hatchling shed and then burrowed under the substrate. The 2nd stayed on top at first. The next morning the 1st one was dead and the 2nd one burned. When I checked the temp under the substrate it was about 101.

I then found out I needed to check on the temp under the substrate and use a rheastat.

Thankfully Skittles survived and is now thriving. But still has some dark spots on her inside that doesn't go away when she deficates or sheds. A few marks have healed through shedding.

This site has really opened my eyes and taught me how to handle most situations and that I still have plenty I can learn. Unfortunately I learned that too late to save my male hatchling. :cry:
 
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