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Tank temps

DogStar5988

DogStar5988

Up all night
OK so I temped my tank today (although I used a normal house thermometer) It said that it was 90 degrees on the warm side and 80 degrees on the cool side when I had the thermometer sitting on the carpeting, is that ok? (I just use the UTH) I know that 90 is a bit high but is it anything to worry about? I use the reptile carpeting as the substrate and its pretty tight around the edges. Do I need to get a thermostat and probe thermometer anyway?
Thanks ;)
 
I haven't had my corn for long at all, but I would bet money that a senior member will tell you 'yes.'

I know your carpeting is pretty tight, but for the safety of your snake, you probably shouldn't assume that he/she can't get under there. Also, household thermometers are notorious for being about 5 degrees off. That's not much to us, but for an animal that can't regulate it's body temp...
 
I tried that reptile carpeting, my corn got under it almost immediately. You already answered your own question. Get the proper thermometer and a thermostat or at least a lamp dimmer.
 
I use that snake carpeting too.
It messed up my temps cause it's too hot where the uth is and not warm elsewhere.
Now i've got aspen and that diffused the heat just right.
 
In my experience you don't really need extra heating on a corn snake. As it can help digestion becasue your snake will digest faster with warmer temps, it isn't neccessary. And if it is going to indanger you snakes life then why bother? People swear that corn snakes need a temperature gradient to thrive. This is not true. Corn snakes prefer a temperature gradient, as do we all but it is not essential. I ahve kept corn snakes as low as 75 and have never had any troubles. I have kept this species of snake for over 4 years, and have bee successful breeding. I would also suggest using aspen for substrate.
 
If you think corns don't need supplemental heating, then you must live in Florida or So Cal. However, in the rest of the world, too low of temps can cause the snake to lose its lunch, and this is always a bad thing. So if someone keeps corns in an area in which the temps drop below 70, they need supplemental heating.

While snakes in certain climates can survive without a temperature gradient, to properly thermoregulate, they need a warm area and a cool area. Therefore, for them to thrive, yes they do need a gradient. If you're just looking for survival, then you can get away without one.

To sum up, I'm glad I'm not one of your snakes. I would want an owner who would want me to thrive, not just survive.
 
Shogun-

I'm not trying to be nasty or anything here, but I have a slight problem with your post. Your information goes against what 90% of the experienced people on this forum (meaning those with significant rep points)/All the FAQs I've read/Care sheets/Etc would say, yet you seem absolutely positive your snakes are thriving. It just seems very inconsistent to me that you then call yourself a "NOOB" in your little descriptor box.
 
Well actually it does say noob, but thats only because I'm new to this forum. I keep all my snake tanks at perfect temps and have been successful breeding very expensive snakes. I was just pointing out that it isnt a need some times. My snakes are all very healthy and I have been keeping snakes for many years. I would also like to add that although I'm new to this site, I still have tones of expeirience with an aray of species of snake. And BeckyG my snakes thrive just fine. I have had my reverse oketee corn snake for 4 years and have never incounterd one problem. I have even bread her. None of my tank temps go below 70 and I wasnt saying that my tanks do not have gradients. I was simply saying they are not a must in all cases. Corn snakes are not a high maintenence snake, this is why they are so popular. I would also like to add that I have had success breeding boids aswell, and produced a beautiful albino ball python specimen in 04. Sorry for sounding noobish(if this is a word) and I'm not trying to start anything.
 
I keep my apartment at ~65* all year. My snakes definitely REQUIRE supplemental heating. I provide this, along with a thermal gradient. Kathy Love and Don Soderberg, two of the largest corn breeders, each with over a quarter of a century of experience raising thousands of corn snakes, both specify the importance of a thermal gradient in raising and maintaining healthy corns in their respective guides to keeping corns. They also indicate that the high end of the gradient should be in the low to mid eighties for optimal digestion. I've only raised and/or kept around 150 corns in my two decades in the hobby, but I've had success following these guidelines. Cooler-than-recommended temps can lead to respiratory infections and digestive problems.

Becky made a good point about the difference between the bare minimum requirements for a corn's survival, and those requirements that will allow your corn to thrive. I'll continue to do what works for Don, Kathy, Becky, and me. ;)
 
Thanks for your help, I have done more research since posting this and have decided to stick with getting a thermostat and keeping the temp at 85 degrees on the warm side. I just have one more question, I know that when you are suppose to place the probe for the thermostat right on the glass under the subsrate but taking into consideration the amount of insulation from the carpet should I keep the temp warmer so I can be certain the top of the substrate is at 85ish? Even if the glass is 85 I doubt the top of the substrate is.
 
DogStar5988 said:
Thanks for your help, I have done more research since posting this and have decided to stick with getting a thermostat and keeping the temp at 85 degrees on the warm side. I just have one more question, I know that when you are suppose to place the probe for the thermostat right on the glass under the subsrate but taking into consideration the amount of insulation from the carpet should I keep the temp warmer so I can be certain the top of the substrate is at 85ish? Even if the glass is 85 I doubt the top of the substrate is.
Click to expand...

You should always measure your temps at the glass. Yes, the temps might be a bit lower on top of the carpet, but unless you have glued down the carpet, your snake WILL find it's way under it. :grin01: As suggested previously, I would suggest switching to Aspen. That is probably the best substrate IMO. Good luck.
 
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