Posted by:
FR
at Thu May 6 15:47:35 2010 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by FR ]
Then this is a perfect example of what a reptile is. Use the behavior and test different conditions.
The original poster stated, fed once a week. There is no special formula or reptilian need to be fed once a week. That is a man made generalization.
Reptiles are ectotherms and their body temps directly relates to metabolism, and rate of metabolism relates to caloric need.
The classroom would be the perfect place to teach what it is to be a reptile and be controlled by temps and other conditions(humidity)
an example would be, if you gradually lower the temps, the snake would feed less and less and go longer times between feeding, if you gradually heat a cage up, it will feed more and more, until it gets to hot and it will fail. Normally failure is the snake regurgitating. If the temps are increased slowing, a degree or two a day, not harm will come to the snake.
Of course there is individual reaction to how fast they change behavior, but if other conditions are right, they all will follow a similar pattern.
In any case, there are many many experiments that can be very educational using this snake.
As usual, if a snake has its own ability to choose the temps and conditions it wants, WHICH IS WHAT THEY DO IN NATURE. Then you have a different animal altogether.
At certain times of the year, summer, they can and do feed daily, If they can get to the temps and conditions they want. Cheers
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RE:This is about education isn't it. - FR, Thu May 6 15:47:35 2010