Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy,
New owner here. Have a one year old Ca kingsnake in a 10 gal tank.One end has an underground heater and a heat-lamp with a hollow log. Temps run 80 to 110 with both on. Other end of tank has a water dish with built in "Cool cave". Winter is coming bringing colder temps. Right now the cool cave is about 65 degrees. Last night he stayed under the "cool cave" and was slow this morning after I brought him out. He has now returned to the cool cave. I am worried that I am doing something wrong and the snake is going to die from cold. Are they not smart enough to move into warmth?

>>Howdy,
>>New owner here. Have a one year old Ca kingsnake in a 10 gal tank.One end has an underground heater and a heat-lamp with a hollow log. Temps run 80 to 110 with both on.

Your way to hot, on the warm side.
It should not be over 85 degrees in that small of a tank.

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R.Bichlers Colubrids

thanks, I am now using a timer to run the under-tank heater only a few times in the am.

85-90 is ideal for a warm spot for a cali king temps on cool side can be in the 70s. I recently took a break from snakes but I am hoping to get some pairs of calis again.

The snake will seek cool, non-desiccating areas this time of year and stay quite inactive until Spring. Your warm area is too warm and dry ( heat lamps are not Kingsnake appropriate, kings warm up in warm substrate, not air.

My advice is to cool the cage to 60-65 deg and cover it with something to darken it and avoid dry conditions. You can warm it up in Feb. Or, get along lamp dimmer and plug the heat pad into that. Ditch the lamp. If you want overhead heat, use al ceramic emitter and cover most of the screen top. Use a temperature controller, they are inexpensive now, especially on amazon. But for now, I would cool the snake. Your snake is smart- it is trying to avoid dry, hot conditions while you are trying to force them in Winter.