How hot is too hot?

pdomensis · 01-31-13, 09:45 AM

I've been trying to find out what temperatures are dangerous to snakes. Most of the info I can find is for ball pythons, so I'm not sure how it correlates with carpets, but I've read that 130+ can cause skin burns and that sustained viv temps of 100+ can cause internal and brain damage. My young centralian is in a 10 gallon glass tank; basking spot is 91-95, cool side is 80-83. But I've noticed with my temp gun that there are hot spots upwards of 104 near the light on the viv background wall. Is this dangerous and something I should address, or should I leave it to the snake to avoid it? This business of managing temperatures in three dimensions for arboreal species is a bit more complex than just worrying about ground temps.

shaunyboy · 01-31-13, 09:55 AM

i run my hot end 86F to 90F

cool end high 70'sF to low 80'sF

does your Bredl lay himself against the hot part of your tank ? (104F)

i had a carpet trail itself through it's water bowl,then push the substrate aside,so it was lying on the plastic bottom of a faunarium,the water on the snakes body heated up,causing belly burns (temps were 90F,heat source was a heat mat)

cheers shaun

pdomensis · 01-31-13, 10:04 AM

Not often, but I've seen him wedged between the viv wall and the roof of the cage in that area before once or twice.

pdomensis · 01-31-13, 10:09 AM

Justin Julander's care sheet at Australian Addiction says the area directly below the heat lamp is 130F in his cages, but I'm not sure how close to the lamp he's talking about. It sounds extreme.

Will0W783 · 01-31-13, 11:23 AM

It depends on the species. Some species like it hotter ...for example, woma pythons prefer a hot spot in the 90s and cage ambient temps in the mid 80s. However, many old world vipers will die at temps higher than 80 and are perfectly comfortable down into the high 60s.

Terranaut · 01-31-13, 03:06 PM

I have 100º +hot spots in my jags enclosure. He is very health ,no burns or anything. If its that hot from a light or rhp I wouldn't worry but from a heat mat might be an issue because the snake insulates the heatsource causing it to rise even further.

pdomensis · 01-31-13, 03:42 PM

Sounds like we're doing ok then. Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.

Gregg M · 01-31-13, 04:22 PM

Our carpets have hot spots around 98ish. Cool sides at 80 degrees. With the higher temps, they can be fed more often without becoming fat. This helps them to grow faster. I see carpets the same age as mine that are far smaller.