What is the right temp for soaking?

[toker]

Hello and good morning.

I know I have asked this question for a while now, and I have gotten many good responses. they were, "luke warm", "tempid"

What I would like to know, and if you would do me a favor. The next time you soak your snake could you drop a temp line in the water and let me know what temp it is.

Reason being, one persons luke warm would be another persons slight cold.

Always good to put a number with the phrase.

Thanks!

[savannah_babe]

well, our bodies usually run at 98.6 right? well, have you ever stuck your hand in a sink/tub full of water and not really been able to feel it? thats because the water temp is running at the same temp your body is. i base soaking my animals off of that

[telefrag]

I always use a thermometer, you would be suprised how hot water can really be even if it feels cool to the touch for us.

I usually soak at about 82 (no warmer than a safe air temp for snakes)

[louise]

my 4 month snake really ates water. she is getting ready to shed again and if i put her in the tub she freaks out. she wont ever go in her tub in her cage either and we had to get old shed off her before. should i soak her anyways?

[eddie]

well, our bodies usually run at 98.6 right?

That's our internal temperature, the external temperature varies but is typically around 76 to 80 degrees.

Imagine taking a thermometer and setting the water temps at 100 degrees, just tepid going on the 98.6 idea.
That is way too hot for most reptiles, nearly 20 degrees higher than many boas can withstand and even a few pythons, not to mention the colubrids.

Brazillain rainbow boas should never be above 85 degrees, period.. wouldnt 100, although tepid in comparison to the 98.6 idea, would not be very good at all for that species.

Easiest way to determine soaking temps, is to look at the temp requirements of the species at hand, staying in the mid range of its' needed temps and not exceeding its' maximum needed temps with the water.

[toker]

sweet! thanks... always good to see some numbers

[suzi]

Louise, wanna know the easiest way to solve the freaking out in the tub problem? A rubbermaid with a good lid. Drill some holes in the top and Viola! She won't hurt herself, and as long as your temps are good and the water isn't too deep, all is good. None of mine enjoy bath time, but the lid helps, and they quickly calm down.

[louise]

i know im a #$%^&#$%^&#$%^& but i held her head and petted it for 2 hours befor work and she stayed in. i couldnt leave her in water and leave. i would so panic while i was gone.she is hanging on my neck right now.

[faze]

Originally Posted by telefrag

I always use a thermometer, you would be suprised how hot water can really be even if it feels cool to the touch for us.

I usually soak at about 82 (no warmer than a safe air temp for snakes)

thats roughly about what i was thinkin frag roughly 82-85ish

[SnakeBabe]

You may want to give some attention to the body temperature of the animal prior to soaking.
Think of when you step into a hot bath, if your body is cold it feels like the warm water is scalding. As you slowly enter the tub your skin temp raises and it becomes comfortable.
I have seen many snakes react as if in terrible pain when being “plopped” into luke warm water that is comfortable to our touch but the animals body and skin temps are cold.

Think about it like you do when you get a new fish, the fish is still in its original bag and the bag is placed in the water untill it reaches the same temps as the tank it will soon occupy. This gradual rising or lowering eliminates pain and shock.

All my python and boa cages have large water bins for soaking, drinking and unfortunately pooping in which the temps are determined by the ambient heat. Usually this is a few degrees less that the air temp in the cage. I place the heat panels directly over the water bins to create humidity. This also keeps the water at a comfortable temp that the snake uses to enter at their will.

Hugs and Hissessss,
Maria