Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, I wanted to share an idea and get some feedback.

I have been thinking of relocating my Australian olive python outdoors. I was also considering this with a Centralian. I have read that the Bredls are pretty tolerant of temps that dip down a bit. I have read and experienced my olive(s) to be the same.

My vision was to put said snake on our patio in a durable wire mesh cage with a solid frame (aluminum) possibly. I would run a ceramic heat lamp so there was always access to a basking spot for the colder nights. I know it does occasionally get into the low 50s. I wondered if with access on those nights to a basking spot the python would do well. It would be a spot with partial but never full sun. I imagined a few hides, some large driftwood to climb and some perches near the heat source to allow a gradient.

What do you think?

I imagine only doing this with an adult or subadult snake.
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0.1 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
1.0 Australian Olive python
1.0 Rosy Boa - Cabo Colonet
1.0 San Diego Gopher WC

Probably would work out alright, but Olive's are naturally a warm climate python. It usually does not get much below 60 within their natural distribution even as a winter night-time low temperature. I would personally never let it get below 60 in a captive set-up for these pythons. Maybe mid-50's with a good night-time heat source.

Kelly

I guess it comes down to the question:
If there is a good basking spot in the 90s does it matter if it's 55-60 in the air around and outside, screen cage. What does everyone think?

I really like Bredli and wonder if the same issue would be any different for them. I am assuming their requirements are very similar as far as temps and humidity..
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0.1 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
1.0 Australian Olive python
1.0 Rosy Boa - Cabo Colonet
1.0 San Diego Gopher WC

The range of bredli is considerably farther south than olivaceus. While day-time summer high temps are similar in both ranges, the night-time winter lows are 15 to 20 degrees cooler in Bredli's range of distribution. Night-time winter lows routinely drop into the low 40's and upper 30's in Bredli's range, with day temps coming back up into the 70's. I think they would be much more conducive to being kept outside with a good heat source than would the Olive's. Even though bredli can handle cooler temps, a good heat source would still be imperative when air temps drop below 70.

Kelly

This is helpful! I am very intrigued by the Bredli. I might have to get one now. Unfortunately I can't have both, might sell my Olive in order to get a nice new Bredli.
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0.1 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
1.0 Australian Olive python
0.1 Western Hognose CB
1.0 San Diego Gopher WC

No expert on these pythons, but I will add this:

Seems that when you provide a huge outdoor cage and some heating, snakes handle cool temps quite well compared to a small cage indoors and cool temps. I guess their ability to thermoregulate is better enabled in large enclosures.

This isn't to say the idea is foolproof. Take Kelly's advice on those low temps. I would also test during better weather obviously. And make sure they have shade too. Preventing too high of temps in summer is harder to deal with than heating in Winter IMO. Shaded moistened ground is the best way.
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Mark