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Thread: basking risks

  1. #1
    "Third shed, A Success" aquamentus_11's Avatar
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    basking risks

    Will a garter injure itself by basking in an area that's too warm for too long? Mine is sitting in her normal basking spot which is currently 91F. This is strange because she usually likes cooler temps, we're talking 15-20 degrees cooler and that spot is usually in the low-mid 80's. I'm not worried about this obviously, I figure she'll just self-regulate, just curious.

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    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
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    Re: basking risks

    You would think they would just self-regulate.
    I don't use basking lamps so I'm very limited in my experience with them.
    Steve
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  3. #3
    "Third shed, A Success" aquamentus_11's Avatar
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    Re: basking risks

    well, it's very cold in my house today so she probably needs some extra juice. i'm still noob so i have many questions. among them are ones that are stupid.

  4. #4
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
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    Re: basking risks

    Quote Originally Posted by aquamentus_11 View Post
    well, it's very cold in my house today so she probably needs some extra juice. i'm still noob so i have many questions. among them are ones that are stupid.
    Your questions are always welcome.
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

  5. #5
    T.s. affectionado EasternGirl's Avatar
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    Re: basking risks

    Well...I have a chart here...I don't know how accurate it is...it is written by the Zilla company, and came with one of my thermostats. According to this chart, for garters, the basking temp range should be 85-90 degrees, the day temp gradient should be 88 on the warm side and 72 on the cool side, and the night temp gradient should be 70 on the warm side and 65 on the cool side. I don't know exactly what my basking temps are....I know the thermometer on the wall next to my basking area usually reads around 82 or 84 during the day...and that I have a thermostat probe in the substrate near the heat mat. The thermostat shuts off if temps hit 90. What are you using to determine the basking spot temp? I would think that she would move if she got to hot though. Hermes sits in a plant right up under his lamp all the time. I have heard of snakes getting burned...but I think that is usually in situations when they cannot get away from the heat.

    Your questions are not stupid.
    Marnie
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  6. #6
    "Preparing For Third shed"
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    Re: basking risks

    Well my temps get up to 90 often she seems so love it since shes always under the lamp then its dark out , even though I turn it off around 8 pm. my temps are always changing at night they go to about 63 on the cool side and 70 on the warm. I would say if she isn't irritated by the temp its okay.
    John !
    " A snake is only as calm as its handler "


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  7. #7
    "Third shed, A Success" aquamentus_11's Avatar
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    Re: basking risks

    Ok, good. I have a thermometer/hygrometer with a probe that I keep in the tank: the probe's at the basking spot and the main unit is in the coldest spot in the cage.

    It's going to be interesting when my new cage comes in. Like I said, I had planned on getting a little ATB so I ordered a fancy cage and radiant heat panel. Now that I've opted for a superior snake, I still have this cage on the way. She'll love all the extra room, but I'm not sure how I'm going to accurately measure the emissions from the panel. The thing was calibrated for a tropical, arboreal boid so the basking spot will run at 90-95F if I let it run full out. The radiation given off by one of these is always higher than the ambient temp. I'm just not exactly sure how much higher. I've heard 10 degrees is a safe estimate, but I'm not an estimator. I have a thermostat, but it won't do much good without a gauge. I want to use it, but don't want to nuke anyone.

  8. #8
    Never shed WingedWolfPsion's Avatar
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    Re: basking risks

    They can and will burn themselves if a heat lamp or pad is too hot, but 91 isn't too hot.
    --Winged Wolf
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  9. #9
    Pyrondenium Rose kibakiba's Avatar
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    Re: basking risks

    I personally wouldn't keep a garter at 90, unless it was sick or had a health problem. I try to keep my tanks warm side at 75, and cool at 65-70 when it's possible.
    Chantel
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  10. #10
    Juvenile snake angrygamer's Avatar
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    Re: basking risks

    To add, those heat rocks that you can buy have a bad reputation. I've only heard of this second hand, but I remember someone saying something to the effect that they had heard reptiles cooking themselves on them.

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