Heating Issues

[mycolorfulheart]

So when I updated Raven's tank I switched her tank to be on a cart, directly in front of my big radiator. Because of it's location, it's always pretty warm there; about 75-82 degrees all the time. I haven't been using her lamp because it heats it up too much. Is this range okay, or does she need a temp gradient?

[GarterGuy]

Temperature gradiant is really the way to go. Raven should be able to decide exactly how warm or cool she wants to be at any time. Just keeping her at one temp. doesn't allow for this and the fact that the radiator isn't hooked up to a thermostat, that measures the tank temp., there's always the possibility of it over or under heating the tank. The temp. range you gave is a good range, but not all at once. Raven should have a choice of the cool end or the warm end.

[adamanteus]

I'm with Roy on this. A temperature gradient is the way to go, where ever possible.

[anji1971]

What if you move the cart so the radiator is just close to one end of the tank?
Then the snake can go to the opposite side if it wants to cool off a bit. Do you have a thermometer to check the temps on both sides?

[Zephyr]

I personally use newspaper as a substrate, and it's very versatile in use: If the snakes want to be really warm, they bask, slightly warm, they hide in the warm hide, cool, cold hide, and very cold, they hide under the newspaper sheets.

[mycolorfulheart]

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna work on moving her tank to a different location, away from my radiator.