Hi Terry, I really don't make rocket science out of it. I keep mostly colubreds so my reptile room stays at an average of 75-78 degrees never reaching 80. In the winter months the room averages about 70-72. I use an oil filled space heater to compliment the baseboard heater running through the room. There is air circulation with an UV air purifier running on low 24/7 but the ceiling temp does go 2-3 degrees above floor level.

Most everything but the mandarins have heat tape running under the tanks or tubs. The two ball pythons and the big white lip have additional heat and are kept higher in the room. The mandys are kept mid to low level with no tape or added heat. When brumating in the colder months they are in sterolite tubs on the floor (a 1/2" sheet of pink foam insulation under the tub keeps the cold of the floor itself from radiating through).

In short Mandarins wouldn't do well 80 and up, 60 and below but thats not to say they are fragile because they are not.

They do have more of a need to feel secure by burying deep in aspen shavings or with mine I lay a sheet of newspaper which the coil under. If they don't get this they will stress and probably not feed. Give them these things and they will do fine.

Oh and sorry I didn't answer your question earlier. I've been out and about.

Mike.

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