Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just recently puchased a B/W banded Cal. KingSnake, I have heard different temp settings. One side this, one side that. What should the temperature be all day and is it necessary for the heat lamp to be on all night long?

Room temp, depending on what part of the country you are in
Day temp not to exceed 88 f. night temp not to drop below 74 f.
i'm in cen Texas so during the day we have the AC on like all day
so i provide supplemental heat during the day , at night the temp drops and we keep our home warmer than 75,

you can get a temp difference from one side to the other simply by using a heat pad on one side...........
if your using lights there is no need for UVB light.
also keep the light atleast 4 foot(give or take alittle)away so you don't burn them.........
ohh yea , and buy the kingsnake manual -good book, easy read
Dallas

Cal kings need at most 82-84 degrees for basking to digest food (actually, 78-80 will often suffice and 84 should be considered the highest comfortable temp for the snake.) It is best to provide this in one part of the cage only, so that the snake can escape the heat if desired. A light can do the job, or a heat pad. In any case, use a lamp dimmer or rheostat sold for herps (I think Zoomed has one for $20 US).

The cool end of the cage can be anything in the range of 65-78 really. In winter, Cal king adults and some subadults may quit eating anyway due to their natural rythyms (they brumate in Winter) so the cool end in Winter can be as low as 55 deg. During normal activity periods (Spring, Summer) and at night, the cool end temp can be in the 74-78 range or whatever. Just don't overheat. Use a lamp dimmer or a thermostat sold for herp husbandry.