Reptile & Amphibian Forums

These so called experts that say 80 or 82 is enough to digest for these species are ridiculous. Mine have a choice of 70-80 or 85- they always take the 85 to digest for 10 days at least. These so called experts give crazy ranges and all that but these snakes need 84F min to properly digest and feed aggressively.

i agree i think im going to keep it hot for my two babies them do seem to tak the hotter area over the cooler one?

I completely disagree with you in the fact that you are assuming that since YOU'RE particular animals prefer/thrive under certain conditions that the conditions you are using are optimal for ALL animals of the same species. Variations occur throughout nature and the varying conditions throughout an animal's natural range will force certain groups of animals (divided geographically perhaps) to become genetically predisposed to preferences and requirements for different conditions. What your kings may like and seem to thrive on, my kings may avoid like the plague. Just some food for though before you decide that everyone is wrong based on what you see with your animals in the conditions you have them living in.

well said brother i was afriad my temps are too low now im not really worring, but if u could advise what are proper temps for a desert phase cal king n a brooks hypo king i would be much abliged.Mike.

85 is the ideal temp for the otherside but not an all over temp. No King should be subjected to a 85 degree overall temp. The snake will pic whats best. I like 75 - 85 for a gradient. One other thing to note if its taken your King 10 days to pass a meal he has a real slow metabalism my Kings usually kick out waste after 3-6 days.

Keith
-----

I keep my cal king hatchlings/juviniles/sub-adults in a room maintained at at ambiant temp of 78-82 and supply a warm end via heat tape of 86-90.

Adults are maintained with a wider thermal gradiant of from 72-90, during the summer months the low end temps increase to aprox 80-82 24/7 with the same 90 degree warm end.

I have had excellent results for years with this temp setup.

Good luck,

Tad
Captivebred.com

In 80-82 deg ambient temp, kings will digest fine. If your room temp is in the 70s, and you have a heat pad at 85, yes the kings will be on or very near it. I guarantee though, the snakes will move around in an environment where you have a gradient. But yes, 80-82 deg air temp in the room will be enough for kings to digest. Not heat tape temp, but air temp. I think that is what the experts said.

The "experts" on this site are giving people advice based on what works for them. Nobody is saying you have to follow their advice. I have received some great advice here. Some of it I follow, some of it I don't. Everyone is trying to be helpful, no need to get abusive towards anyone. I guess what is most important is that your snakes are healthy.
Kingsnakes live in all types of habitats in the wild, from deserts to mountain tops. What is good for one ssp. may not be good for all.

I've got snakes at about 72F right now that would have your fingers down their throats before you could tell them they're being kept too cold. I've alos got snakes of the same species and size at about 82f and they all digest the same size food items in the same period in time. But your right, if it works for you it must be a scientific law.
-----
Martin Whalin
My Email

Quotes from guys named Carl:

"Science stops at the frontier of logic. Nature does not, she thrives on ground as yet untrodden by theory."
-Carl Jung

"It is foolish to let singleness of purpose deprive one of the joy and delectation of the many wonderful sights and sounds incidental to the quest."
-Carl Kauffeld

I guess that I am an expert!!!!!!! ALLRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!~!!

Bro....if your kings do great at 85, then that is great. I am very happy for you!

I keep all my snakes, which are mostly pits, alterna, and then some kings and corns, at 78 - 82. Years ago...I kept my snakes very hot, around 85. When I got into pits, things changed, as the first two pits didn't do well at all in the higher temp ranges. At that time, I was breeding kings and milks. I decided to get the temps lower and wa laaaaaa!!!!!!!! .....my collection is doing much better and has shown better behaviour, feeding responses, etc.

My snakes, kings and pits, do great at 78 - 82 and it works for them.

If your snakes are taking 10 days to digest, than that should concern you. 10 days is an awful long time. Please look into that.

Take care!
Billy
-----
Genesis 1:1