![]() It sounds simple enough - and it is, for the most part - but you’ll have to experiment to get it just right. This will create a warmer side and a cooler side. But how do you provide those temperatures? How do you create a thermal gradient in your boa habitat? In short, you heat one side of the cage. So, now you know what temperatures to aim for. Venture too far outside of this zone, and the snake will begin to have health problems. Stay inside this zone, and your pet will fare well. With that being said, there is a certain temperature "zone" in which the common boa ( Boa constrictor imperator) is known to do well. It’s not an exact science, and that’s why snake keepers often use words like "approximately" and "about" when recommending a temperature range. It’s okay if you encounter minor variations in the recommended temperatures when conducting further research. ![]() This is critical for the long-term health of your pet boa constrictor, so you need to take it seriously. You want a nice gradient from cooler side to warmer side, with temperatures peaking in the basking area. What you don’t want is a habitat with the same temperature all the way around. ![]() Having a gradient allows the boa constrictor to thermoregulate, by moving to the warmer or cooler side of the cage as needed. It’s important to have a temperature range across the cage, as described above. I thought it would be helpful to clarify those commonly used terms. The basking area is where the heat source is located, and it will therefore have a higher temperature (allowing your boa to bask in the extra warmth). What do I mean by "ambient" and "basking" temperatures, anyway? The ambient temperature is the background temp - it is away from the heat source. Nighttime temperatures can drop a few degrees, as they do in nature. A basking spot in the range of 88° – 90° (F) will suffice. They also recommend having a basking area for the snake, with a slightly higher temperature. Most of the books and articles I’ve read recommend an ambient temperature in the upper 70s (Fahrenheit) to the low 80s. Read three different books or articles on boa care, and you are liable to get three different temperature ranges recommended by the authors. Proper Temperatures for a Boa Constrictor Once you finish reading this page, you’ll know exactly how to provide the right temps for your boa. What does this mean to you, as a snake keeper? It means you will have to (A) provide a certain level of heat for your pet boa constrictor, and (B) monitor the cage temperatures on a regular basis. They bask in the sun to warm their bodies, which aids in circulation, digestion, metabolism, and other important functions. In the wild, boa constrictors use the sun for this purpose. They cannot warm their bodies from within, the way humans can. This means they rely on external forces for body heat and temperature regulation. Like all reptiles, snakes are ectothermic. Let’s start with a quick lesson in biology. I’ll also give you some tips for maintaining the proper temperatures within your boa habitat. In this section of the boa constrictor care guide, we will talk about the importance of heat and temperature.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |