Notes from the field(which is where hogs are from)



They use mass heat(substrate) to guide their behaviors. At times of the year, the mass temps are too cool, then they bask. Often, by sticking their head and neck out of a hole and flattening out to increase the surface area.

About belly and back heat,



The problem i see with keepers is, they make determinations on what they think the animals want, which is great, only they offer these tools in a out of context way, or a A or Z type of approach, which is, its this or that, not this "and" that(a current commercial) In the case of snakes, its always, this and that and what is picked is about timing, conditions, and need. Then place behavior on top of that.



That behavior is/can be regional. For instance, in the northern parts of their range, basking is far more common, therefore becomes a behavioral priority. Down here in the southwest, basking is rare as the mass temps heat up very quickly to more then needed, in aprox 10 months of the year. So behaviorally, seeking suitably low temps becomes a priority.



About cages, I wish, and you all know this, folks would shop with the thought of what type of cage will add to my captives life, more then what is spiffy and easy to clean and fits in a small area(end of rant) Best wishes

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