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I have two juvenile WLP's about 2.5 feet long each. These are a new species to me and I have been observing them and adjusting their environment to suit what seem to be their desires. I have a 20 gal long aquarium with an under tank heater at one end that provides a heat gradient in the tank from 98 F to 72F at the cool end. I have found that they prefer hides that not only contact their sides but also their backs when they are inside them. If given a choice they want to have their backs touching the top of their hide box. I have low hide boxes arranged all over the cage so that the snakes can select almost any heat "setting" they want.

Everyting that I have read says that WLP's need to have access to high 80's to low 90's during the day and high 70's to low 80's at night. It is widely reported tht WLP's are prone to respiratory infections if these temps and relative humidity of about 65% are not maintained.

They are very active at night and I have observed them crawling and exploring through one hide after another so I am sure they are checking out each hide spot. The problem that I am having is that day or night, whenever I check their body temps with an infrared thermometer I am getting actual body temp readings between 74 and 78. They avoid staying in the warm end of the cage for any length of time and show a definite preference for the cool end. This is true even when they are digesting a meal (they are eating well; 1 large mouse each about every 4 days)

My question is: do I need to keep these animals warmer even though they choose to keep themselves at 76 F? When I raise the over all cage temp up, they want to stay in the coolest end of the cage. What is the matter with these idiots? Help me out brothers and sisters!

Hi,

yes, wlps do not bask that much and are most of the time looking for cooler places to shelter. If provided hide boxes along the temp gradiant they usually prefer the cooler ones. Nevertheless their preferred body temp is at mid 90F (36.5°C). After feeding, all of my animals will also use one of the cooler hides to digest and will come out after 5-7 days again.

I guess you made a typing error in humidity. It should be far more than 65%. Take it up to 75-85%!

Nevertheless, everthing else you said sounds quite ok to me and I wouldn't bother about their body temp if you do provide higher temps. They will be chosen if wanted.

Cheers,
Wulf
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http://www.leiopython.de ,
http://www.herpers-digest.com

I am relieved that my WLP's don't need to be forced into high temps to remain healthy. I have always watched my animals very closely to determine what their preferences are. I have tried a single, continuous, long hide box (plastic rain gutter) that runs from the warm end to the cold end of the cage. I check their temperatures at various times of the day and night and I find them situated at the same place under the hide along the heat gradient and their body temps are always in the mid 70's (F).

They will always hide during the day and come out of their hides only during the night if given hides in both the cool and warm end of the cage. If given only a hide at the warm end of the cage 85F-95F they will abandon their box and jam themselves into a corner at the cool end, choosing to be cool rather than hidden! I think that they are telling me that they want to be cool! n'est-ce pas? Only at night do they seem to explore all of the areas of the tank and go into all of the hide areas, both warm and cool. This seems to be more out of curiosity than an attempt to warm up, though. I am sure that warmer temperatures won't harm them but it is good to hear that cooler temps won't either!

The 65% humidity was more bad memory than a typo. In truth I do not have an accurate hygrometer so the humidity in my cage is a only a guess. The substrate is not wet, or even damp most of the time but I have a large water bowl in with them and I spray the cage lightly once a day. The screen top is covered about 3/4 of it's surface with plastic sheeting and there is a mist of water on the glass at the cool end most all the time.

They are shedding in one piece and appear healthy and eat well but I was concerned about respiratory infection if they stayed so cool. Tropical snakes and cool temps usually equals respiratory problems. I have never had a python or a boa before that chooses to be 74F ???!!! Thanks for the information, Wulf. It was very helpful!!!

If found the same behavior with my Jungle Carpets and Diamond crosses...(perfering the cooler end of the cage over the warmer end).