Cool VR Hot

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

So here is the story. I have UTH's under all of my five tanks. I also have about four heat lamps that are sometimes on depending on the weather. I have multiple hides on both sides and plenty of plants for added cover. The temp in the substrate above the heaters is roughly around 77oF to 82oF. The snakes are corns, kings, rats and a gophers.

So why do the snakes hang out on the cool side all the time? Its just too cold on that side. Its around 68oF to 71oF. Brrr!

In the rat snakes Viv and one of my corns Viv I tried getting most of the vegetation over the the hot side and leaving the cool side with only one hide. But they still prefer to hide on the cool side...and most of the time not even in their hide. Not all my snakes do this. The king, gopher and Dez (the other corn) don't mind their hot side.

I am constantly worried about RI and other problems associated with cold temps. Should I leave the lamps on? What about night time? I cannot leave the lights on at all times because of fire hazards. Any clues?

 

[bitsy]

I wouldn't worry unless you're actually seeing problems. The whole point of having warm/cool ends is to allow the snakes to thermoregulate themselves. I'd be trusting them to make their own decision.

Just make sure you have hides in the warm & cool ends, plus some in the middle temp zone, and they'll sort themselves up. The fact that they're not moving when you move the foliage would indicate to me that the cool end is right for them (put the foliage back though, so they don't get stressed - that's a different risk).

Don't know about the others, but Corns are pretty tolerant of cooler-then-ideal temps and would naturally be seeking a cooler area around this time of year in the wild. Most of mine live down the cool ends all year round and only spend time at the warm side when digesting or feeling off-colour.

 

[AmelEP]

I know this is somebody else's thread but....mine do that too! Although on the cool end in my viv get to almost 55 at night (I live in the desert, the temperature fluctuates a lot). And they stay on the cool end even after they eat! A few times in the past I tried taking out the hides at the cool end only leaving the ones at the hot end and it worked but as soon as I put the other ones in they'd be right back at the cool end within an hour. So now I move the cool end hide to the middle, one of them refuses to come out, the other stayed at the warm end...and I just fed them both last night. (By the way the warm end actually drops down to about 70 at night...)

 

[tyflier]

Nobody knows better than your snake which temperature will make them most comfortable...

The whole reason that we provide a constant thermal gradient is because we cannot decide for our snakes what is the optimal temperature for them. We know generally what temperatures they thrive in...and about a 20-30* range in between. So we provide cover and gradients throughout the tank, and allow them to decide for themselves where they are comfortable.

In other words..."Let your snake be your guide". It knows where it needs to be to feel comfortable. If it is always on the cool side...it, perhaps, feels more comfortable there. But I would wager a bet that your snakes ARE using the warm side...just when you aren't looking....

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

That very well could be it

I know my corns are smart...the gopher snake as well. But the king and the texas rat seem a little, how shall I say it...empty headed :grin01:

I guess I just worry too much when I see my snakes sitting in the cold end when it is only 60oF in the place. Seems cold to me. They are all healthy though and the vet confirms that.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[JustineNYC]

So here is the story. I have UTH's under all of my five tanks. I also have about four heat lamps that are sometimes on depending on the weather. I have multiple hides on both sides and plenty of plants for added cover. The temp in the substrate above the heaters is roughly around 77oF to 82oF. The snakes are corns, kings, rats and a gophers.

So why do the snakes hang out on the cool side all the time? Its just too cold on that side. Its around 68oF to 71oF. Brrr!

In the rat snakes Viv and one of my corns Viv I tried getting most of the vegetation over the the hot side and leaving the cool side with only one hide. But they still prefer to hide on the cool side...and most of the time not even in their hide. Not all my snakes do this. The king, gopher and Dez (the other corn) don't mind their hot side.

I am constantly worried about RI and other problems associated with cold temps. Should I leave the lamps on? What about night time? I cannot leave the lights on at all times because of fire hazards. Any clues?

The cold side shouldnt be THAT cold, how cool is your house. My home is warm enough to walk around with short sleeves in the winter......but I know some people have cold homes.

I wouldnt worry.....two of my corns are always in their warm hides, another one is always out climbing...I dont know how she keeps warm, and my ghost is always under her water bowl (on the cool side)........never ever is she anywhere else except when she is in shed, then she hangs on the warm side. You just have to give them the options and let them choose. Their smart.....if its too hot, theyll move, if its too cold, theyll move.