supplimental heat

[infernalis]

Myself personally I use no heat at all.

I forget without counting how many set ups I have and they all are doing just fine.

I have found however that gravid females do like some belly heat.

Heat rocks still get some bad publicity these days even though the manufacturers have improved the greatly compared to the ones made some years ago that were known for burning animals.

[ConcinusMan]

Heat rocks still get some bad publicity these days even though the manufacturers have improved the greatly compared to the ones made some years ago that were known for burning animals.

Never quite understood why they got a bad rap in the first place. I used them when I was keeping/breeding sceloporus (spiny, clarks, fence lizards) back in the early 90's. They got warm but never hot enough to burn. Never had a problem. I got away from using them simply because I don't want to deal with a cord going into the viv.

[Spankenstyne]

Never quite understood why they got a bad rap in the first place. I used them when I was keeping/breeding sceloporus (spiny, clarks, fence lizards) back in the early 90's. They got warm but never hot enough to burn. Never had a problem. I got away from using them simply because I don't want to deal with a cord going into the viv.

There were many that got spots on them hot enough to burn, and often did cause burns. I never had any that did, but I did see first-hand several examples of it happening. This was about 20 years ago though. The main problem being that there usually isn't some sort of temp control device being used with them, and that they tend to have inconsistent heat with hot spots.

I'm a big believer in temperature gradients as well, all 80+ reptiles we currently have all have gradients.

[Hollis_Steed]

That's what I thought I might hear...."I always use heat..." and "I never use heat..."
I guess it really is just a matter of personal preference. I'll experiment and see what my snakes seem to prefer.
Thanks for taking time to voice your preferences everyone!

[ssssnakeluvr]

That's what I thought I might hear...."I always use heat..." and "I never use heat..."
I guess it really is just a matter of personal preference. I'll experiment and see what my snakes seem to prefer.
Thanks for taking time to voice your preferences everyone!

some do, some don't... garters are very cold tolerant snakes....as you notice by the fact there are so many where you live...and there were a ton out that rainy day we met with you. if you use heat, put it at one end so there's a temperature gradient so the snake can warm up or cool down as it wants to.