lighting question

[monty bl python]

:firestart I have had my ball for a couple of months and have been using black lights for the night and of course a reptile light for the day. Being told by my uncle when he had got me my corn snake.

My question is// is a black light needed for the night and if so dose it have to be on each aquarium of just near enough to provide the snake with a (night light). :greenflam

[Lrptls]

get rid of your lights. ball pythons do not like alot of light. get some type of undertank heater (i highly recomend heat tape) you will then need a rheostate or even just a regular light dimmer. you need to buy a temp gun to check the temperatures and make sure they are acurate. even if you were using lights i think every one should use temp guns, stick on thermometers are usually not acurate and eventually stop working correctly.

[monty bl python]

Dose anyone have other opinions ,not saying your are wrong, but I haven’t herd this before so I just want to confirm it. and if so will heat tape be able to warm the air.

[peterm15]

toss the lights.. espically the black light.. 24hr light is not healthy for anything so i opt to turn off ALL my herps lights, if i need night heat i either use a UTH or Ceremic heater...

best thing for a snake is under tank heater.. gives them belly heat.. and with a proper thermosdat are much safer than lights.. as long as your snake isnt in total darkness all day ( in other words has a window that will reflect some light in or even your room lights on) your snake will be fine... and most likely much happier..

if for some reason you decide to give extra light during the day a floresent light is the best choice, less wattage, less danger, and the uv bulbs may prove to be benifical, but are by no means needed

[Edmond Y]

I used to use a 25 watt bulb to provide a hot spot and then I took it away, I found my snakes become more active and eat better. I belive they don't like 24hours light for them.
Edmond

[Jeff_Favelle]

Dose anyone have other opinions ,not saying your are wrong, but I haven’t herd this before so I just want to confirm it.

Well, let's think about it: Ball Pythons are NOCTURNAL, SUBTERRANEAN snakes from Western Africa. That doesn't sound like a snake that wants a bright-a$$ bulb in its face all day long, does it?

[galad]

wow jeff how rude can you get?
Not everyone is a snake expert like yourself.

Its statements like that, that would deter me from buying anything from you.

Youd think someone who is a fulltime breeder would have better people skills.

peace

ws

[Jeff_Favelle]

Wasn't trying to be rude. Making a simple statement without calling people names or telling them off etc etc is now considered rude?

Its statements like that, that would deter me from buying anything from you.

Bummer. ;)

Man, I re-read my post lke 5 times, saying it out loud like I would say it to the guy's face if we were having a conversation in person, and I fail to see how I was rude to him. I said BP's are nocturnal, hole-loving snakes that don't appreciate a bright-a$$ bulb in their faces all day long. Yeah, that's rude (sarcasm implied).

Watch out for the forum police doods. If you don't give help in the EXACT right way, they'll make you wish you never tried to help in the first place.

[Lrptls]

i think its cause you said a$$ *shrug* im not sure either jeff

[monty bl python]

i dint think it was rude and it was being said to me
jeff was just explaining why the dont like lights

[ReptiGramma]

Well.....I think he was kinda rude too....May as well have said, DUHHHH!!!

I see that he is working on 10,000 posts....Maybe he could use a nap?? LOL!!

I just love all you guys!!!!

[Jeff_Favelle]

Good stuff Chris. Post pics of your setup if you get a chance. Pictures are worth 10,000 words. No lie! :)

Also, check out this page by the immortal Mark Mandic. It'll help and is a good reference page to check back on: http://ballpython.ca/care.html

Best of luck!

[galad]

The proleme is very simple jeff.
When you say things like "Well, let's think about it: Ball Pythons are NOCTURNAL, SUBTERRANEAN snakes from Western Africa."
You come off as a smart a$$, know it all. Who thinks everyone should know as much as you.

And plus having a bulb in the cage cannot be so bad, I'm sure he has a hide or two for his ball any good keeper would.
And also in the wild a full moon can provide quite alot of light, would that not be similar to a small bulb off in the corner of the room?

Watch out for the forum police how childish is that? All I was implying was the fact that someone in your possition should have better people skills.
As reptigramma said Maybe you could use a little sleep?

peace

ws

[monster]

The proleme is very simple jeff.
When you say things like "Well, let's think about it: Ball Pythons are NOCTURNAL, SUBTERRANEAN snakes from Western Africa."
You come off as a smart a$$, know it all. Who thinks everyone should know as much as you.

And plus having a bulb in the cage cannot be so bad, I'm sure he has a hide or two for his ball any good keeper would.
And also in the wild a full moon can provide quite alot of light, would that not be similar to a small bulb off in the corner of the room?

Watch out for the forum police how childish is that? All I was implying was the fact that someone in your possition should have better people skills.
As reptigramma said Maybe you could use a little sleep?

peace

ws


those are some good points. makes sense too, jeff needs to chill out and take a nap. probably a sheltered life has resulted in poor people skills and snake knowledge ad nauseam. :bugged: the bar is a good place to start.

[ReptiGramma]

LOL!! Okay, Jeff......Say that you are sorry and eat your words...You are not making any friends here......And it won't hurt....I promise.!!! LOL!! We just might have to all hold hands and sit on the porch like that until we all calm down, and then we can be nice to each other again. TEEE HEEEE!!!

The full moon comment really makes alot of sense....

Does anyone KNOW how a black light might look to a snake? Would it be a calming reaction or a freak-out kind of feeling? Anyone ever read any research?

I'll bet that it looks really cool from outside the cage.

And...Jeff, don't go to the bar...that will just make it worse!!!

Love youall,

[DragnDrop]

I don't see any excessive rudeness, using the current lingo is done in a lot of posts and nobody seems to object. Any capitalization of words seems to have been done to indicate their importance, not the 'shouting' and condescending tone they're usually known for.
Jeff knows snakes, and even though I've never bought any from him, his post certainly wouldn't keep me from buying anything he's selling. Judging his product by a reply is a bit much.
Maybe stay off Jeff's case and concentrate on the topic at hand.

As for night lights being too bright - look at it this way. ... In the wild there's no lights other than moon and starlight. On cloudy nights or during the new moon there's even less light. These snakes have evolved to live and hunt just fine using what we call 'pitch dark' conditions. Adding even a weak bulb that lets us see what's around us would be like a 150 halogen bulb or worse to them. How bright is that if you're a nocturnal?

[galad]

I didnt say that there was any excessive rudeness. I said that you would think someone in his possition would have better people skills.
I find it really funny how i have to keep repeating myself on this site, no matter what i post.

Again have you ever been out in a full moon, even a quarter moon provides quite abit of light.

Nocturnal means they do not go out in the day light obviously. So what your saying is a snake in the wild wont go out in a full moon because it is to bright?
That doesnt make much sence to me.
Neither does a small 15 watt light in the corner of the room comming off as a 150 watt halogen.


Why do people seem so afraid to tell top breeders that they are acting irresponsibly?

If you are in a bad mood or just plain tired why make a rude comment to a post that people have already answered the question to?

Remember i am not the only one who thought the comments were not necessary.

peace

ws

[End Times]

I think you all need to chill. Jeff was just telling him what he needed to know. Personally, I'd rather have someone gruffly tell me something that is correct rather than have people politely feed me crap sandwiches...

But that's just me.

[peterm15]

the light in the corner of the room wouldnt be so bad.. its the light in the corner of the cage concentrated on the animals.. and yes a little light will not harm but ive seen thoes black lights in use.. ive used a few.. there prett bright... enough to make you see spots if you look directly at them.. by a little light i mean like your alarm clock or night light on the other end of the room.. just having the lights concentrated on top of the cage would be anoying...

the same question was asked in the beardie forum.. i dont remember who asked it but the beardie would wake them up around 3 every morning banging on the glass.. and would not give up.. after trying to figure things out i realised that she had one of thoes black lights on.. i told her to give it a shot without it and she and the beardie slept like a baby all night..

[monty bl python]

Being the person that the statement was said to I say that it wasn’t that big of a deal. He was just telling me with an explanation these threads would be pretty boring if every one just said yes and no. He knows what he is talking about and I appreciate the reply, and as far as “If you are in a bad mood or just plain tired why make a rude comment to a post that people have already answered the question to?” you all have turned a question about lighting into a bash Jeff thread that don’t answer any question. It is nice that people try to help each other by protecting them from rudeness but it is also rude to Jeff to continue telling him he is rude

I do have another question regarding this thread though
Is there any snake that dose use a black light at night or did the pet store tell me that when I bought my corn snake just to sell me more crap? They told me that it helped with the heat at night.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Hey Chris, I don't think that there are any snakes that use the black lights, as there was no way for them to evolve such a mechanism in nature. I think its mostly for our benefit. There's not much info out there, and the companies that make them aren't really saying much (ha ha obviously). Blacklight is UV-A, and high doses are BAD. But does any of the retail bulbs emmit high doses? I think if its for aesthetics, I'd go with a regular neon tube during the day (heat pad for heat) and nothing at night.

http://www.proformance.net/download/UV_light.htm

There is studies however that say snakes (and most reptiles) can't really see red light. So this would allow the keeper to keep tabs on what the snake is doing at night. You'll want a LOW wattage one though (15W) so that it doesn't throw you're pre-calibrated temps off.

As for the forum police Chris, don't sweat it. Its not what most people hear at ssnakess.com are like. It is funny though, that they rant and rave about how rude they THINK a comment was, but then they HIJACK the thread and change the whole dynamics of the discussion, without permission of the thread STARTER (which is you). To me, that is more rude than anything I could possibly see on these forums, save for maybe cursing at someone. If they don't like a comment, PM the guy (or gal), or email him, or phone him or whatever. But to go on and on (and on) about it serves no purpose other than to be vindictive. Which is why I didn't participate after. He thinks I said something bad, I think I didn't. That's it, end of story. Doesn't have to go past there. People like Hilde, End Times, Michele, and others will offer up some fine discussion, so don't fear asking a TON of questions.

Peace out dood. Post pics if you get a chance. Don't forget the SNUG hide box. BP's love to wedge themselves in (think Chuckwalla lizards). :D

[galad]

ok first of all yes i prob should have just sent jeff a private message but honestly i didnt even think of it.

I am not bashing Jeff or Highjacking a thread. Is there something wrong with a little confrentation, no one is being rude or calling names. All I'm doing is deffending my opinion that reputable breeders should act in a more respectful manor.

There are people who have agreed with me on this thread. What makes us wrong and you right?

How boring would this site be if everyone just agreed with eachother all the time?

peace

ws

[peterm15]

I do have another question regarding this thread though Is there any snake that dose use a black light at night or did the pet store tell me that when I bought my corn snake just to sell me more crap? They told me that it helped with the heat at night.

they just sold you more useless crap. considering you can get the same bulb for 1/4 of the price at walmart, crappy tire. ect... there ok for housing leos or some other geckos.. ( it seems to keep them a little less active though) i used to use one for my leos to provide an extra little bit of heat..

belly heat is by far the best method to heat most if not all snakes ( the durnial ones) and with that no lighting is needed... if you want the lights during the day imo floresent is the way to go.. just seems safer to me.. and i dont have ANY lights on for ANY of my herps at night.. if they need extra heat they either get a under tank heater or a ceremic heating element..

i dont know if this has already been mentioned but what are you housing your snake in.. as jeff said pics are the best bet..... if you need anymore help feel free to ask... and make sure you post some pics.,....

[Kathy Shaw]

And plus having a bulb in the cage cannot be so bad,

ws

WRONG ! It is very bad!
You should NEVER! have a bulb in a bp cage. Ball Pythons like to wrap around things they will get burnt on a bulb inside their cage.
If you must use lights (as a last resort) to heat your cage. They must be outside so the snake can never touch them.

Under tank heaters are the best and safest way to heat your BP's
As has been stated you need to have a thermostat or dimmer switch on your heat (Whatever kind you use) to keep it in the right range. You can use digital thermometers or a temp gun to monitor your temps.

I tried using a black light at one time just to be able to see in the snake room without turning on the room light.... I thought maybe it would disturb them less then the room light. I try not to do anything in the room after dark so they get their night cycle but in the winter it is dark when I leave for work and dark by the time I get home so I have no choice.
Anyway... the black light freaked them out. It is not a natural light. They all started darting around the cages and striking at shadows and bashing into the cage. So in my snakes black lights stress them out.

[galad]

ok kathy obviously you took my thread the wrong way. By having a bulb in their cage i meant a floresent bulb and obviously you should not put a heat lamp inside the cage that is commen sence.

peace

ws

[Invictus]

Whoa whoa whoa... NOBODY has a Jeff bashing thread without me!

Jeff, you're ugly!

:D

[rrrrr]

A light would provide 2 possible benefits: light itself, and heat. These guys are nocturnal so they only need enough light to differentiate night from day. Ambient light is good enough. As far as heat goes, diurnal critters tend to bask for heat, and nocturnal critters absorb it through the ground. BPs will do great with an undertank heater. Overhead lights also tend to lower the humidity. Not a big problem for a corn snake, but low humidity can cause problems at shed time.