Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Besides the black milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum gaigeae), are there any other snakes that don't need supplemental heating to live and thrive easily in standard (by military definition) home temperatures (70-77 F). Since I'm from Virginia, I was thinking the black ratsnake (elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) would fit this bill, but I'm not sure.

While I do turn off the heat for my Black Milks in the summer, I have found they appreciate a warm area in the mid 70 to high 70's the rest of the year. I like to give mine choices.

Arizona mountain kings are not strangers to cool temps but I find it more comfortable to provide the choice of a warmer area if they feel like it. Easily accomplished with some of the small Ultratherm heat mats even without a thermostat if you allow for air space under the cage, if you want to keep things simple.

Good luck.

I'm told that rubber boas do just fine without heat sources.

Other than that, conventional wisdom says almost all snakes need heat sources, but that is up for debate depending on the temps you keep in your home. I can't really afford to turn up the heat, and live in an apartment with many drafts, so I give my snakes heat lamps. However, I did some experimenting this summer, and found that my snakes were fine without heat; but that was summer. In any case, I can't imagine a North American snake that would be harmed by temps between 70 and 77 degrees F, so you can pretty much take your pick. Corn/black/yellow/Everglades rat, king, garter, and probably bulls and pines (I don't have any pits) should be OK in that range.

I never used a heat source for my Southern Ringnecks when i was studing them and they did fine and digested fine also.

I think if you live in the southern states some of the snakes may not need the heat, but i still would provide it for them anyways.

Just my opinion.

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Cameron

>>I'm told that rubber boas do just fine without heat sources.
>>

I almost forgot about the lovable rubber boas.

>>Other than that, conventional wisdom says almost all snakes need heat sources, but that is up for debate depending on the temps you keep in your home. I can't really afford to turn up the heat, and live in an apartment with many drafts, so I give my snakes heat lamps. However, I did some experimenting this summer, and found that my snakes were fine without heat; but that was summer. In any case, I can't imagine a North American snake that would be harmed by temps between 70 and 77 degrees F, so you can pretty much take your pick. Corn/black/yellow/Everglades rat, king, garter, and probably bulls and pines (I don't have any pits) should be OK in that range.

np
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jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

>>While I do turn off the heat for my Black Milks in the summer, I have found they appreciate a warm area in the mid 70 to high 70's the rest of the year. I like to give mine choices.
>>
>> Arizona mountain kings are not strangers to cool temps but I find it more comfortable to provide the choice of a warmer area if they feel like it. Easily accomplished with some of the small Ultratherm heat mats even without a thermostat if you allow for air space under the cage, if you want to keep things simple.
>>
>> Good luck.

Thanks for the input.

Yes, the black rat will do OK. If your temps are on the cool side in the winter (closer to 70), they may take smaller meals and less often, especially if they are getting natural light cycles. They may even stop eating for awhile & you may choose to brumate them.

If possible, let your temps drift towards the higher end that you described during the warmer months. Depending upon whether your "normal" room temp is closer to 70 or 77, most of the other north american ratsnakes (including corns) CAN be kept at room temps. At room temps of 74-77, most will be OK.

A temperature gradient is, of course, always your ideal situation. Duffy

Even montane snakes are able to get their internal body temp well into the 80's deg F or higher. The difference is they can sometimes only do this for a limited time during the season.

I would say at least have a small heat pad on the side of the enclosure so the snake can butt-up to it for when it may nedd/want to raise its body temp to above 77 deg F, even if you select a snake that can handle cool temps well, like rubber boas and Ariz mountain kings.

Solomon Island Boas. When I first got mine, I had a heat pad and they actively avoided it, moving to the farthest corner away. I removed the heat pad and he's been thriving for over 1 year. I live in New England, and my house is between 70-77 in the winter.

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1.1 Ball Python 1.1 corn snake 1.0 Bearded Dragon 1.0 Solomon Island Boas 0.0.2 fish 1.2 cats 3.1 kids 1.0 husband