Ball python- maintaining proper temp

[nocturnalpulsem]

I'm having some trouble keeping the temp right in my ball python's tank. I think it may be because it's a small tank (roughly 12" long and 6" deep). I have a 40 watt red bulb and a heating pad. The temp on the warm side is getting close to and sometimes over 100 F and without, the tank stays at room temp, which is getting too cold now.

What should I do? I can't seem to find a bulb lower than 40 that isn't going to disturb it at night.

It's a clamp lamp, but there's no good way to affix it high up from the tank.

 

[kupo969]

To begin with, you don't need both. The heating pad is much more recommended. Also, what kind of thermometer are you using? A heating pad alone can reach 100F. In the end people are going to recommend you to use a thermostat. Or you can build you own dimmer, I have one.

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19168

 

[Teal]

Definitely don't use both!

I keep just a heating pad for my girl, and under her hide at that so it creates a little heated pocket in there.

 

[nocturnalpulsem]

I have a digital thermometer and one of the crappy stick-on ones. The temp isn't high enough with just the pad, especially since my furnace is out and it's been 66F in the house all day long.

Plus, I don't think she likes the pad, she is always on the other side (I keep 2 hides, one on cold side, one on hot side).

 

[loxoscelesfear]

Ball pythons are hardy animals. Room temp is fine.

 

[halfwaynowhere]

Ball pythons are hardy animals. Room temp is fine.

um, ball pythons are pretty simple to take care of, but are also notorious for not eating when certain conditions are not met- temp being one of them. The hot end should be around 90*, the cool end around 80*. Unless you live somewhere where the room temps are normally that high, you could easily end up with a snake that refuses to eat, and could be very stressed out.

To the OP: An under tank heater with a thermostat is best. Its not hard at all to maintain the temp (you may encounter problems with humidity as you increase the tank size, especially if you use a screen top). I used a tub instead of a tank for my girl. UTH under one side, with a dimmer switch, and a thermometer to monitor temps on both the warm and cool sides of the tub, as well as humidity (~$12 digital thermometer from walmart, with a probe).

 

[KJE]

If the side with the heat pad is 100 and sometimes high, that could explain why he's always on the other side. He's trying to regulate his body temp. If it's too hot, he'll go to the cooler side. You really need to invest in a thermostat or if money is tight a dimmer switch would work for the time being. If you don't keep proper temps and humidity you could be asking for serious problems.

 

[loxoscelesfear]

Never had a ball python refuse food. I have heard of them fasting at times, but have not observed this behavior myself. 80 degrees is hot enough. A hide box is a good idea as well. In the wild they utilize mammal burrows and similar subterarranean retreats for egg laying and escaping the west African heat.

 

[kupo969]

I'd recommend using a digital thermometer w/ a probe. Those are the most accurate IME.

 

[nocturnalpulsem]

The pad I have isn't getting it to 80F, though, which is the problem. I have a thermometer with a probe and it just doesn't seem to get there?

I bought the stuff for the dimmer in that link, so I'm going to try using that.

 

[Danny]

i use a 75W bulb for a 20g long.... since yours is shorter i would reccommend using a 60W. use it one side only, save the UTH for something else.