500 sq feet is comparatively tiny to say...a continent
It still doesn't compare and you still can't provide the daily struggles that keeps them moving like what goes on in the wild even with 500 sq feet and a cattle prod.
An anaconda IS a boa.
I don't need a degree to read a thermometer nor do I need a scientist to read one for me. Climates change. Animals adapt. Adaptations I believe is a far more accurate word than evolution to describe the changes we refer to as "evolution". It's all semantics though. Rather than relying entirely on some googled scientist information that could have been written by a crackhead chimp for all anyone knows, why don't you try setting your temps at moderately ideal temps as found on reliable caresheets and then observe your particular animal's habits. If your snake spends most of it's time hunkered down on the cool side, it's probably too hot in there. Adjust it down till he starts utilizing the whole cage and shows outward evidence of thermo regulating himself...and visa versa if he's hunkered on the heat all the time. That would mean the cage is overall too cool. Species as well as individuals among a species will for many reasons have different comfort zones.
So...who are your "herpetologist" friends anyway? The word is used loosely and means nearly nothing as far as credentials go. ANY member of this site would be correct in calling them selves a "herpetologist" since the word merely means "a person who studies herpetology" ...which merely means the "study" of reptiles and amphibians. For the higher learned, There is no such thing as a degree in Herpetology. Typically, those who sport credentials are biologists and zoologists who take interest in the slitherys enough to specialize. Not much money in it so this specialization is typically only used as a credential when it might impress a given audience. Those that come before us to change taxonomy or discuss various discoveries or what not may be a herpetologist while making their presentation but tomorrow, while trying trying to explain fish they are suddenly Ichthyologists. Chances are within a week they will also be Entomologists. Reality...If they have a PHD, they are more broadly Biologists and/or Zoologists but don't necessarily have to be either to use the terms as long as they study. If not for the deep rooted research done by us typical hobbyists, those guys wouldn't have the basics of husbandry to allow them to dig deeper into the finer details. We are as or maybe even more important than any scientist as far as figuring these things out. The same can be said for "reptile vets". Without us, even the best would still be completely clueless...many are. Relying solely on "credentials" especially for animals that encompass such a tiny fragment of related study is dangerous. They can be wrong too and often lack the real time it takes to specialize as much as they wish they could and so lack much needed experience. These guys have a lot more on their plates than just lizards and snakes. Knowledge can easily be obtained from books and a weekend of field research but it doesn't get to be wisdom until after much real time experience. I think that's why science is so conflicted all the time and needs constant updating. Too much is published too fast without taking the time to observe in real time. Thanks that can't easily be disproven are stated as fact. Just because something can't be disproven doesn't make it proven nor does not being able to prove something make it disproven.
BTW...you said hotter temps but didn't say how hotter? I've seen boas use a basking spot of around 95 before though usually for not very long. High 80s basking areas tend to get more use. Gravid females tend to seek more warmth than normal. Babies simply can't take the heat. Anything nearing 100 is going to start scrambling gray matter. 111 degrees Fahrenheit is the absoulte boiling point for all but a couple of species. Prolonged exposure to temps of or slightly above 111 as far as I know has been observed with Inland Taipans and Western Coachwhips without killing them. I don't know of any others but I suppose it's possible others can survive these temps...I do however know that no boa constrictor can
