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night time temps

G

guitrage

Ophidiophile
My snake threw up last week, so I called East Bay Vivarium (where I purchased my snake). The first thing they asked me was about the temps. I told them that it was about 75 at night and 85 during the day. The man I spoke to said that the reason my snake threw up was because the temperature on the warm side needs to be a constant 85 day and night. This was a bit of a shock to me. Everything I've read says that a night time temperature drop is a good thing. He told me to bring the snake to the store where they would keep it for a couple of weeks and try to feed it themselves. I asked him if I could just carry out the suggested temperature changes and try to feed her again in a couple of weeks, but he said he wants me to bring her in!

What do you all think about what he said? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Ari
 
Well, the temperatures in your viv should range from about 75-85 all the time. A nighttime drop of just a few degrees is all right, but not by ten degrees.

I wouldn't bring in the snake to the store. While it seems that they know what they're talking about, the snake is still your pet and you should be able to learn how to keep it just right on your own without taking it back to the store every time there is a problem. If you fix the temperatures and wait a while before you feed again, the snake should eat all right without reguring. Good luck with it!
 
Yeah, I'm buying a thermostat so the temps stay up 24 hours a day and I'm going to try to feed her again in about 10 days. Thanks for the advice
 
it could have also been that the size of the meal was too big, or that it just wasn't comfortable enough in its new surroundings yet. The majority of the time, regurgitation is caused by temps that are too low, but it sounds like your temps are ok, or at least they are not too extremely low. its ok for the temp to drop that much as long as they have a warm spot of about 78-80, like an undertank heater with a hide spot.
 
I wouldn't take it back because the stress of moving it there wouldn't be great for it either. I'd wait the 7-10 days, and make sure that you have a constant warm spot for it as suggested by the others. I use an under tank heater for constant belly heat, and during the winter I use a heat lamp in the day time. I do turn it off at night to simulate cooler temps, but there's always belly heat available to them. You can also put a little grapefruit seed extract in the water (2-3 drops/8 oz. water). I don't know if it does the job or not, but I used it when mine regurged and I haven't had a problem yet.
 
72 F is often quoted as a temperature below which it is more difficult for digestion to occur, and so as long as your temp isn't dropping below this at night then I do not believe that your night time temperature was the cause of the problem. I think you are fine with a 10 degree drop at night, and I wouldn't alter that as my first choice. I would try to offer a thermal gradient within the cage though, so that the snake was able to self-regulate by chosing the temperature of it's choice during the day. I am surprised that the store wants you to bring in the snake as Meg correctly points out that this would cause additional stress and possibly lead to further issues. Waiting 10 days is a wise plan. Let us know how it goes.
 
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