B
Bluetongue1
Guest
Marggs,
It is not appropriate that you should be accused, criticised and judged. I apologise that you had to endure it.
You came here looking for answers and relevant information. So let’s see if we provide that...
As Wokka pointed, the most critical factor, and this is true of virtually all reptiles, is providing the correct temperatures. This is the quintessential difference between endotherms (feathers or fur) which produce their body internally form burning food and can therefore regulate their own body heat independently of the ambient environmental temperature (within reason of course). Being an endotherms requires a consistent supply of food and so they have to eat regularly, often several times a day. Reptiles, being ectotherms, are dependent upon the external environment for their body heat and use their behaviour to regulate it – moving into warmer temperature or cooler temperature, as required. Under consistently cool conditions they will go into torpor, use very energy and not eat. This happens naturally to wild snakes through the cooler months of the year (Autumn to Spring).
Something I posted recently in another thread.
The average preferred body temperature (PBT) for carpets is around 29[SUP]o[/SUP]C. It is important to realise that the PBT varies according to what is happening with the snake. When it has eaten and its metabolism is actively trying to the meal, it will deliberately seek a higher body temperature to facilitate that. In the cooler months when food is not readily available, a snake will often choose a reduced body temperature to conserve energy otherwise required to maintain the higher activity of cells at a higher body temperature.
So how does this translate into what is a desirable temperature range? A good rule of thumb is about 4 - 5oC either side, which also takes into account the basking temperature...
A big problem with searching the net for information is you don’t know what is quality, what is poor and what is just plain wrong. The following set of articles contains comprehensive top quality information...
Reptile Husbandry Articles by Southern Cross Reptiles
Blue
It is not appropriate that you should be accused, criticised and judged. I apologise that you had to endure it.
You came here looking for answers and relevant information. So let’s see if we provide that...
As Wokka pointed, the most critical factor, and this is true of virtually all reptiles, is providing the correct temperatures. This is the quintessential difference between endotherms (feathers or fur) which produce their body internally form burning food and can therefore regulate their own body heat independently of the ambient environmental temperature (within reason of course). Being an endotherms requires a consistent supply of food and so they have to eat regularly, often several times a day. Reptiles, being ectotherms, are dependent upon the external environment for their body heat and use their behaviour to regulate it – moving into warmer temperature or cooler temperature, as required. Under consistently cool conditions they will go into torpor, use very energy and not eat. This happens naturally to wild snakes through the cooler months of the year (Autumn to Spring).
Something I posted recently in another thread.
The average preferred body temperature (PBT) for carpets is around 29[SUP]o[/SUP]C. It is important to realise that the PBT varies according to what is happening with the snake. When it has eaten and its metabolism is actively trying to the meal, it will deliberately seek a higher body temperature to facilitate that. In the cooler months when food is not readily available, a snake will often choose a reduced body temperature to conserve energy otherwise required to maintain the higher activity of cells at a higher body temperature.
So how does this translate into what is a desirable temperature range? A good rule of thumb is about 4 - 5oC either side, which also takes into account the basking temperature...
- Desired minimum end temperature about 25[SUP]o[/SUP]C.
- Desired maximum end temperature about 30[SUP]o[/SUP]C.
- Desired basking point temperature about 34[SUP]o[/SUP]C.
- Hide positioned at the cool end.
- Hide positioned at the average PBT of 29[SUP]o[/SUP]C.
A big problem with searching the net for information is you don’t know what is quality, what is poor and what is just plain wrong. The following set of articles contains comprehensive top quality information...
Reptile Husbandry Articles by Southern Cross Reptiles
Blue
