Then I think we disagree, speed of digestion is strongly based on temps. As are preferred temps with active reptiles(high metabolism).
I am trying to understand how you can say what your saying and of course, I have a hard time because I see reptiles in the field and its much easier to understand there.
Lets just say that I can see what your saying in some context. I agree that digestion can and does occur at a fairly wide range of temps. As does growth. But that is not the point or how it works.
High temps is what allows large bolus to breakdown. Once that occurs, the snakes then move to lower temps, then lower temps again. If that does not occur, they regurgitate.
A month or so ago, I posted a pic of a wild hog feeding, it had toads from its mouth to its cloaca. A line of constant digestion. Prey was coming out the back as fast as it could go in the front. Explain that please.
Anyway, in my opinion, the OP's question was a non scientific hobby based question. And was correct, hogs are messing snakes compared to kingsnakes and other colubrids. They are akind to Label placed on indigos, crap every day, all over the cage. Lots of maintaince.
Without question, heat supports metabolism. Its also easy to see, that the amount of heat used is based on design. That is, fast moving species have adapted to using physical ability for such things as defense, speed to avoid predators. At lower temps, such snakes as coachwhips are simply not fast. They must maintain high body temps to support their physical design. In the field, hogs are without question, heat lovers. On the same level as coachwhips. At that level, they are very fast snakes. Their crawling speed is amazing. Last year, we found a neonate crossing the road. We recorded it, we then found it two hours later. Its was 3/4's of a mile from the first contact and it was a neonate. Just one example.
Could you offer some support for your opinions. Thanks

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