Posted by:
WALL2WALLREPTILE
at Wed Nov 17 18:54:29 2010 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by WALL2WALLREPTILE ]
Human Body Temp is actually 98.6F
You will not over heat your Blood Python by merely handling it.
However, you may cause it undue stress from over handling.
Many keepers may have temperature ranges that seem to work best for them.
I suspect that there is a considerable bit of variation in those ranges.
Years ago I kept Blood Pythons, Sumatran Short Tailed Pythons and Borneo Short-Tailed Pythons...and bred these species on a regular basis.
Although I love all of them... I decided to try to focus my energy on my "favorites".
I am a Blood guy at heart.
So, these days I no longer work with the Short-Tailed Pythons...as I am concentrating on the Blood Pythons (brongersmai).
For me the best temps have been to maintain an ambient temperature of about 82F
and then to provide a warmer location within the enclosure at about 88-89F.
I DO NOT using any type of heat lights...as they are better suited for making snake jerky (they dry everything out, lol).
Flexwatt or a heat pad on a reliable thermostatic control is fine.
An appropriately sized cage will allow you to create a true thermal gradient.
Providing a thermal gradient allows the animal to decide what temperature it prefers.
I usually notice my snakes on the heated ends of the enclosures after feeding.
They find a "comfortably warm" place to digest their meals.
The rest of the time they usually hang out elsewhere within the cage.
Providing a place for the snake to hide will also make it more comfortable as well as improve feeding response and reduce stress.
There are commercial hide boxes available.... however most breeders improvise by using a nontransparent plastic box with a U shaped entrance, cardboard box...or even a good sized wad of paper for the snake to hide under.
I prefer utilizing the paper for a hide. As it is easily disposed of and replaced, should it become soiled. Snakes love it!
Handling your snake on a weekly basis should be more than sufficient to maintain a mellow attitude.
Harlin Wall
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