KSB and temps

Tigergenesis · 01-07-04, 06:59 AM

How high is too high on the warm side for a KSB?

My little guy seems to like it hot. I originally had the temp at 92, but then it shot up to 100. It did stay there for a couple of weeks (with some flucuation) because he seemed to stay on the warm side most of the time - and my attempts to lower it weren't succesful. I got it back down to 92 and he refused food last night (he just shed 2 weeks ago and no sign of shedding again). I double checked my thermometer with my temp gun and it's correct. I'm using a Repti-therm UTH set on a rheostat. I also have this on my 50 gallon for my ball. Even on the lowest setting they seem to get hot. But it seems my KSB prefers the higher temp. Should I keep it in the lower range or let it stay high since he seems to prefer it and see if he'll eat at that temp?

Invictus · 01-07-04, 11:48 AM

What substrate do you have your kenyan in? This can make a world of difference. For example, if you have it in sand (which I do not recommend), the surface temp may be 100, but I bet if you had a thermometer with a probe, and you put the probe deep into the sand, you'd find it to be 110-115. Sand is terrible for its tendency to trap heat, and even worse for air circulation.

Nonetheless, I don't recommend going above 95 for this species, even though they could probably be ok at 100. It could just be that the cool side is too cool, so your snake is just "settling" for the 100 degree temps. What is your temp on the cool side?

Tigergenesis · 01-07-04, 11:55 AM

Sorry I didn't give all the info I should have. I use crushed walnut shells for substrate (i feed in a separate container). I do use a thermomether with a probe and the probe is buried under the substrate right on top of the carpet pieces (I put pieces of carpet in so that he won't be directly on the glass bottom.)

The temp on my cool side (above the substrate as I don't have a probe for that side - perhaps I should move the probe over just to see what the cool side temps are under the subsrate?) are 75-80 (depending on whether it's day or night).

I know I can remedy the temps on the warm side if I just put more carpet in or paper towels under the carpet. Just wanted to see if I should first.

I'm beginning to wonder how accurate the thermometer is. I think I might disinfect my BPs thermometer and see what reading it gives in my KSBs tank.

Invictus · 01-07-04, 12:04 PM

Hmmm... 75-80 doesn't sound bad at all for a cool side. Also, when you're up past 90 degrees, I personally question whether 5 degrees makes all that much of a difference in the greater scheme of things, ie, if they do well at 95, 100 isn't so far of a stretch that they are risking harm. Maybe it's best not to worry at this point, but don't take my word for it - I've got quite a few Kenyans myself, but Roy Stockwell is considered the expert 'round these parts.

I'm curious to see what he says about this.

Tigergenesis · 01-08-04, 06:51 AM

After a little thinking, I'm wondering if he's laying on the probe and raising the temps since he's usually on that side. I have seen the temp raise from the 95 I was sure it was going to stay at to the 100. Not only that, but whenever I go in to get him I check the position of the probe and it's no longer resting on the ground where I put it.

Invictus · 01-08-04, 10:34 AM

Well, snakes don't generate body heat, so him laying on it likely wouldn't affect the temperature reading at all.