Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Seriously though, I have 2 honduran milks and they seem to absolutely love the colder temps. No matter how low the temps, even into the upper 60's and they seem to stay on the cold side of their cage even though the hot side is at about 82 degrees.

What's up with that, do hondos like it cold?

Allan

This all depends on what season it is, and if they recently ate, etc..

When snakes are not digesting meals, they will often move to cooler areas to lower their metabolism and conserve body mass. This is quite typical for them to do.

When they eat a meal, there is no doubt that they will self-thermoregulate to the warmer area to do so, then move to the cooler areas afterwards. If they stayed in the 60's with substantially-sized meals in their bellies, it would not be digested properly, and putrify within their intestinal tract, causing them to regurge. Snakes always move around according to their immediate needs at any given time.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

I have balls...alot...and they need it warm...so I need stuff for the bottom of the racks....what did I get ....?....cave rats....Korean rats....and hondos......don't know the Koreans are happy...they hate me so tough crap....the hondos have always been on the bottom...for off and on 20 years ....they do well....
this is the first time this pair is down for the winter so I'll see if I get any eggs....(hypos)......yes they like it cooler....

but as Doug said...they need it warm enough for digestion....

does yours move to the warm side after a meal?....

.....if not...do not feed BIG -huge meals...stay with what you are doing.....

Good luck....
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........JY

I feed them about every 5-9 days and even immediately following the feeding, they remain on the cool side, which averages probably about 72 degrees in temperature. It is like they hate the warm side I literally never see them over there, weird. They are however growing like weeds and very healthy snakes.

>>... It is like they hate the warm side I literally never see them over there, weird...

If i was observing this in my snake room i'd double and triple check that my temp measurements on the warm end were correct. Also, any diff in lighting? Is the "cold" end dark and the warm end bright, for ex?

There is no lighting difference between the cold and hot side. They are stored in racks, with flexwatt belly heat. I measured the cold side, at 72 degrees, and the hot side at 86 degrees. I subsequently turned the hotside down to a goal temperature of 82 degrees. They after eating today, full meals, still went straight to the cold side of their cages.

Allan

I've always noticed milksnakes will spend a great deal of time in cooler temp areas if offered, especially this time of year and if the hot side is very dry (low humidity).
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Mark

most of my snakes come out at night,,,and lay at the front of the boxes touching it as much as possible....this area is warmer...not by much but warmer....weird....they are at at least 80 degrees and more....but at night most still lay up front....
...hondos didn't do this....nor the cave rats....some balls do some don't.....and they are from 79 degrees to 88 degrees....
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........JY