Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello
A couple of months ago I purchased an albino Queretaro king. We had a long heat wave here in NY so I kept him in a room with AC when temps got over 86 as it seemed to "bother" him.
His usual temp was 84 day 78 at night. Now that the temps are dropping to low 70s at night I use the heating pad for him set at 90 under one of his hide areas.
My question is what is ideal air temp for him ? My house is kept at 68 during winter . I also have a rosy boa and a desert hognose that like it hot and I use incandescent day/night bulbs over their tanks during the winter plus 90 degree UTH under their hide area. I have never kept mountain type kings.
I have had them for 6 years and neither brumates. I prefer not to brumate the Queretaro. Will he continue to eat over the winter if kept at ideal temp?
I plan to move him into the 30 gallon tank I have for him soon(He still fits in 10 but has grown a lot and would be fine in bigger tank now) and would like one warm side one cooler side but not sure of ideal temp.
Thanks
Fleck

Hey Fleck....Nice to hear from you again....
I saw Alec and Robert in Daytona and they mentioned you...
Anyway....As for temps for the Queretaro King (Ruthveni) you have to remember that they are somewhat montane and do thrive at slightly cooler temps than other kingsnakes.....I think it is just best to give them a thermal gradient.....If your house is 68F during the winter that is great as long as you place a heating pad under one side of the tank and set it around 85F to 88F...I would place the heating pad under about 1/5 of the cage and give them a hide on the 'warm' side and the 'room temp or cool' side....
Also make sure it has a watering bowl for drinking and soaking....I usually place the water on the cool side, but I have placed it on the warm side too to raise humidity.....
When you get to breeding them there are other things you will have to do with temps.....Soon you will be there.
Actually...I will breed mine for the first time next Spring and I can't wait.......

John Lassiter

Thanks for the great advice. I am suprised how calm this type of snake is yet suprisingly not to popular.
His set up now (10 gallon tank) is set up as you mention and I am setting up his 30 long same fashion with 2 small water dishes one on cool side one on warm side among hide areas,etc.
He has grown nicely so moving him now though ofcourse he still has room.
I need to finally get a comp camera to post pics lol.
Thanks again
Fleck

You are very welcome Fleck,
All my snakes are kept at room temperature with heat on one side of their enclosure.....Works well, but some would just keep their entire snake room at around 80F with no thermal gradient.....it works for them, but I like the idea of a montane snake having a cool area. Even at 50F when I am brumating all my adults the Thayeri, Ruthveni, Greeri and Mexmex still cruise their cages...They are 'at home' so to speak at the cooler temps.

Get that digicam and post some pics...I would love to see what your little Ruthie looks like....
John Lassiter

Yes they do seem to come from areas where the night temp drops a bit. Ofcourse the rock,sand hold heat during the night.
http://www.wunderground.com/auto/virtuallythere_jan3/global/stations/76625.html

Thanks again.
Fleck

Also...the temps are lower on the ridges, moutains and elevations these snakes are found.....
I think it would be ideal to have very large enclosures with extreme temps on either end to allow the snakes to choose where he/she wants to regulate digestion or whatever else they may need to regulate.....Always give your snake choices.....They will know what choice to choose......
John Lassiter

What temps do you bruminate these guys at???

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Lloyd Heilbrunn

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

PS That's her baby pic.
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Lloyd Heilbrunn

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

Nice ruthveni! I brumate my "mexicana group" snakes (greeri, mexicana, ruthveni, thayeri) at temps that fluctuate considerably through the winter, reflecting the natural variation in outside temps. Mainly, these hover around 50 F, but drop to the low 40's and rise into the low 60's on occasion. As John's post suggested, most keepers of these snakes might be surprised to learn just how cool it gets where these guys live--and I'm referring to summer temps. For example, we did field work this summer at one mexicana site in San Luis Potosi, located at 7800 ft, where night temps dropped to the low 50's complete with fog, rain, and wind, and daytime highs were in upper 60's to maybe low 70's, with daily afternoon rain. Somehow, the snakes were doing just fine in this setting!

Cheers,

Bob

Here in South Florida,the problem will be getting them below 60 in the first place..... Thanks.

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Lloyd Heilbrunn

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

...which is why some of our "southern" pals have to use things like wine chillers to get those temps. Good luck!

Bob

...which is why some of our "southern" pals have to use things like wine chillers to get those temps. Good luck!

Bob