Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm interested in creating a naturalistic, cave-like enclosure for cave dwelling rat snakes (Orthriophis taeniurus ridleyi) and was wondering how important a temperature gradient is in the enclosure. Considering I keep the ambient temps at a suitable level (slightly above room temp), is there a need for a "hot spot" or photo-period within the cage?

Terry

I'm not sure if any of them actually live IN the caves in the wild....they will live at the entrance ,as will any critter,....but they live all over the wooded areas and all I would guess...??

...mine are in a rack, on the bottom 2 boxes.....temps....run around 77 to 80 ? plus a little maybe...they feel cold to me ......the male lays out in the open coiled up....almost always...he has hides and cork and water bowl and enough aspen to burrow....he lays just on top...female....she likes it under her log....like a piece of driftwood ,half a hollow log...like 2 foot long and enough room under to do whatever she likes....she lays on top, but not even 25 % of the times....

....I fed them small always...and am just letting them grow as they like...they are year and half maybe and 5 foot plus?...maybe more.....and I don't over feed them....

,.....they are cool.....good luck..........

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......JY

Not an expert on ridleyi, but they may prefer a bit cooler temps than say a constant 80 degrees. I found that ALL my snakes in general appear to do much better and are less stressed with a heat gradient then just keeping the entire snake room at a constant 80 degrees plus/minus a couple of degrees. They can hang out at the room temp area to the front of their cages at around 70-75 degrees, or move closer/next to the heat tape in an area around 82-85 degrees. The room and hot spot get a bit higher during the middle of the day, but not too much. I am not having any regurge or growth problems, even with my transpecos rats. The ridleyi may prefer cool temps in upper 60s to low 70s, and a "hot" spot around 78-80 max. I hope someone with ridleyi experience chimes in. Check some care sheets out on ridleyi. I am sure they have the optimum temp ranges for them.