Newbie

[Rxking]

Hey Guys, I looked for a FAQ section and didn't see it. I'm a first time snake owner and think I have a problem. I was told at the reptile show, where I purchased my small ball python, that everything I needed for his terriarium was in the kit. It included a heating pad that mounts the the bottom of the terrarium and simply plugs into the wall, there is not tempature control. From what I read I gathered I needed to get a thermometer and bought one. What found out is that temp is dropping down to 70 at night and only up to 75 or so during the day.
From what I read that's not warm enough, so I went out and bought a heat lamp and put that on, I also bought a second thermometer for the warm side. Now during the day with my lamp on the temp says 86 on warm side and 75-80 on cool.
I'm guessing that's ok but I have to turn the light off at night, it's in my daughters bedroom. When I do the temp drops to 70.

Do they make pads that can get warmer? Or can be adjusted? Should I just add a second pad?

The snake is obviously cold in the morning and I need to fix this ASAP. Thanks for the help in advance.

[Minkness]

Welcome to the for!

Where are you measuring the temps? Are they air temps or surface temps? What are you using as substrate?

[macandchz]

what are you keeping your snake in? what kind of thermometer did you buy?

[EL Ziggy]

Welcome aboard king. A thermometer only measures the temps. Do you have a thermostat to regulate your temps? You may also want to invest in a temp gun. Share a pic of your snake and setup when you can.

[seetharam2492]

How to preserve your snake?

[Rxking]

36232

Hey guys got some info and a pic. He's in a 20 gal terrarium with Aspen substrate. I had a temp gun and checked the temperature on the floor.
It's 97 on warm side and 72 on cool side, that was with the heat lamp off. So I guess I don't have the problem I thought I did?????

[Rxking]

Thanks for the help

[EL Ziggy]

@ King- Your setup looks cool but you'll probably want to lower those temps a bit. 97 is a bit warm imo. I'd probably shoot for a high of 88-90F on the hot side and 75 on the cool side. Is your heat source regulated by a thermostat? That's very important. I'm personally not a big fan of the half log hides because they don't provide much security for the snake. I'd swap it out for one of the box hides that you have on the other side. Best wishes with the new critter.

[Andy_G]

No disrespect to El-Ziggy, but 75 is the absolute lowest that an ambient should occasionally hit, and a bit too cool for all the time with these guys. I'd do 78-80 ambient with a 90-95 basking spot. Definitely invest in a thermostat of some kind and a temp gun, and I'm also going to agree with the half log hide being less than ideal.

[JellyBean]

@ hides:
if you are a do-it-yourselfer like I am, there are plenty of ways to alter your log hide, blocking off one side, etc. Also lots of cool ideas on Pinterest and 'you tube' for very little $$

Good luck with your new baby!

[EL Ziggy]

@ Andy- You're right, I should have clarified that 75 should be a minimum ambient temp for BPs and 78-80 is more ideal.

[Rxking]

I noticed he prefers to hide out in the box hide. So y'all are definitely right there. I think what will fix my problem is a night light that I will leave on all the time. Should bring ambient up to 80.
Thanks all.

[Rxking]

I will let y'all know how it goes.