General Questions

[UserNameIsValid]

Hey guys just got my first ball python yesterday and wanted to make sure of some things. I have a repti-therm u.t.h and a heat lamp both on a thermostat running at 85 degrees. Should i have them both plugged in to the thermo or just the u.t.h? Temps at 83-85 on the hot side and about 76-78 on the cool side. humidity is 65%. He also sits with his head cocked to the side sometimes, just wondering if that's ok. Thanks for the help!

[DDW]

I'm not sure about the head thing but all heat sources should be hooked up to a thermostat. May I ask why you are using a heat lamp? It can dry out the air quite a bit and make humidity too low. (I'm currently having that problem while waiting for my thermostat to arive in the mail) I think those numbers are good but what is the hot spot? If you don't have a laser infrared thermometer, I suggest getting one for reading surface temps, not just ambient temps.

Also, you can post pick of the set up if you want feedback on it as well.
(And I know we all love pictures :) )

Do you have any pictures of the new addition? I'd love to see him/her.

[UserNameIsValid]

So would you suggest only the u.t.h? I thought basking spots are beneficial to the snake? Together they seem to be keeping the temperature really steady.

[DDW]

I'm not very experienced but I often come across people saying no to the heat lamp. Also, does the lamp emit light? If it's not a nocturnal lamp, it may be interfering with the snakes day/night cycle. Bps are nocturnal after all. The uth should be enough unless it's meant for a much smaller enclosure.

[UserNameIsValid]

What I'm doing is using a light emitting lamp during the day and a non-emitting light at night. I'm keeping him on a 9 to 9 light cycle. Since he's only a baby he is in a 20 long tank with half the top covered. The way its setup, the heat and humidity have stayed pretty solid, just wondering if there is any way to perfect it.

[DDW]

I leave the perfecting part to other more experienced people.if it's consistently working for you, I see no reason to change it as long as husbandry is okay:)

I just find the heat lamps to be a little more than needed(as well as not visually pleasing) as the uth should be enough and regular light coming from a window should be sufficient for bps to provide a day/night cycle. If it's just light needed, I personally would grab an LED light and turn it on and off as needed for day/night cycle.

Btw good luck with your new bp^.=.^

[eminart]

Keep them both on the thermostat. You probably only need one or the other, depending on your ambient temps. But, as long as you have the temps and humidity right, it really doesn't matter how you get there.

[DDW]

Eminart just said what I was trying to say:3 I'm bad with words sometimes^.=.^

[SnakeyJay]

All depends what your ambient air temps in the room are... If it was a cold room then you'd need a heatlight.. These heat the air. If it's already reasonably warm in the room the a Uth should be enough to create the hotspot needed.

If it works, don't fix it so I'd just leave it be and let the snake settle. Good luck :)

[Albert Clark]

Hey guys just got my first ball python yesterday and wanted to make sure of some things. I have a repti-therm u.t.h and a heat lamp both on a thermostat running at 85 degrees. Should i have them both plugged in to the thermo or just the u.t.h? Temps at 83-85 on the hot side and about 76-78 on the cool side. humidity is 65%. He also sits with his head cocked to the side sometimes, just wondering if that's ok. Thanks for the help!

The temps on the hot side at 85f is great. But you need to take the temperature of the glass directly above the uth to get the accurate temp of the "hot spot". Move all the substrate from over the uth and use a infrared temp gun to measure that glass temp. Check the temp now. I think once you see where you are at then make a determination on whether you need to go to 90f on the thermostat. :blink: