Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can North American colubrid species (corn, alterna, cali-king, etc) be kept at room temperature without undertank heating? I currently use under-enclosure heating, but was simply wondering.

Depending on what exactly your "room temperature" is during the different seasons, some would be OK. That said, offering a temperature gradient is generally your best bet. But if you keep your home in the mid-70's, for example, you could keep some of the more northern species without extra heating. Even better if you let your home get a little warmer in the summer. That way they get a little seasonal variation. I have kept black rats, a "greenish" rat, a texas rat, garters and a corn at room temps and they have done well. I now have them all in my snake room which is also at a constant temp with no gradients or supplemental heating. I like to keep them in the mid to upper 70's bordering on 80. That's just me. Some of the ratsnakes, including the corns, can be a little more adaptable than most people give them credit for. You must, as always, watch carefully for trouble if you are not keeping them under optimum conditions (that goes for temps, cohabitation, too much activity for shy snakes, etc) Duffy

i have a honduran milk with no extra heat. I had a UTH on his tank and he kept avoiding that side of the tank. I turned it off and now he uses his whole tank. He is eating fine, etc. Our room temp is in the 77 range here in Arizona with A/C. One of my corns has a light for day and nothing at night and he is fine also. I think if your in a colder area they would need supplemental heating.

77 is good average temp for that snake, many people with large collections heat the whole room rather then individual cages. It works as long as the the average temperature is between 75 and 85. Of course having a basking site or ground heat source is more natural and prefered by most snakes.