here are my two cents worth..........


always use a thermal gradient for all species......

it is my experience that snakes will do "ok" or seem "fine" without a gradient but will not thrive! The immune system of these guys is tied to their body temp. and they will use temp. to fine tune any specific needs such as digesting a big meal, fighting a bloom of some intestinal bug, etc.

A thermal gradient allows the animals to select their own temps according to their specific needs at any given time. In nature we see reptiles typically spending a significant portion of their time thermoregulating, why not give them the opportunity to have those same options in the captive setting.

I can honestly say that offering thermal gradients to my collect has been the single most positive husbandry factor I have done in the past 8 years! I don't get regurges especially in groups like deppei!

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