Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
My baby gray banded ate 2 pinkies in last 4 days . He is now hiding which ofcourse is normal under his hide area.
I wanted to know how long does it take to digest the food. I am not using the UTH yet as its summer and he is kept in a room with temps from 82 to 86 .
The breeder I bought him from doesnt use heat in summer in his reptile room at all so I imagine the temp is good.
I am starting to wonder if since he ate 2 pinkies I should use the UTH to give him extra belly heat ?
Anyone keep gray bandeds without UTH in summer?

thanks

Your temps look good, but I still think belly heat is important, especially when feeding juvies. You can probably get away with feeding juvies every 5-7 days if you turn the heat tapes on. I'd give them a break during shed cycles though, and back off the feeding to every 10 days or so if they start getting obese.

I believe it is important to have a temperature gradient in your cages. I keep my graybands in cages with the cool end at around 78F and about 85-88F over the heat tape. I believe keeping graybands at 85F and above for extended periods is stressful to the animals....it is better if they can choose their optimum temp based upon their current needs (i.e.; digestion requirements/gestating ova, etc.). Good luck!

I keep my graybands in cages with the cool end at around 78F and about 85-88F over the heat tape. I believe keeping graybands at 85F and above for extended periods is stressful to the animals....it is better if they can choose their optimum temp based upon their current needs (i.e.; digestion requirements/gestating ova, etc.). Good luck!

Thanks for the great info. I got him at a reptile show and the breeder who sold him to me was honest when he said he is a great eater which he is.
The info you gave me is helpful as the temp I wasnt sure of.