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Re: Correct Cage Temperatures Debate V 1.0
The most frequent mistake people make setting up reptile cages is trying to heat or cool the environment to one specific temperature. The optimum way to do it is to have available in the cage temperatures close to the very highest temperature tolerable and also the minimum temperature. That way the reptile chooses what temperature it needs or wants for the condition and period it is in. This goes also for those that hibernate or brumate or cycle their animals. The range supplied is higher in Summer and lowest in Winter.
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The second biggest mistake related to temperature problems or stress with many herps is using caging that is too small and or a heat-source that's too big. The problems with that are obvious.
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With boas and most snakes an important rule to consider is also that whenever possible indirect heating is best. This is more like how these animals gain (and shed) heat in nature.
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In Summer I supply boas with a hot spot of between 90-95 degrees farenheit and the cool side of the cage is near 80 degrees. In Winter the hot spot is no more than about 85 and the cool side may be down to 70 for most boas. And the total heating hours each day in Summer is more than for the same animal in winter.
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Temperature tables are like feeding schedules.. only a base-line starting point. You have to observe your animals in the environment you supply and apply what you learn to acheive the best care and conditions.
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That's my input on that.
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