heat lamp

[viper99]

about 100-150 watts and it sould be on for 14-16 hours a day and when the heat light isnt on you should have and under tank heater on.

[shrek]

Why don't you try using a med, size U.T.H - Under tank heater. I personally find that the lamps dry the air too much. The U.T H also provides belly heat.

[MorbidMindset]

what kind of wattage should i use in a 10=20 gallon tank for my ball python? i am not sure and i dont wanna make it too warm in there~ how long should i use it each day and how much darkness should i give it? the book i have confuses me a little! thanks for the input

[MorbidMindset]

i have an undertank heater that the pet store gave to me..it used it on some snakes it sold. but it dont feel like its warm enuff to me..at least at nite and early morning when it is still cold here and the living room is chilly. that is why i wanted to know about the heat lamp. i have ambient light now...its getting the tank a small bit warm but i think i need a temp gauge to make sure..i also dont wanna spray the hide moss too much as i fear it gets chilly in there during the early morning hours when all the lights are out and we are sleeping..i dont want it to get sick~but the heating mat is under the hide mostly on that side of the tank..hoping to warm the hide so it feels comfy when it is sleeping. after i misted the cage earler it got very active..it went in adn out of the hide 3x or more over a hour and half..and a few hours later came partially out and laid down on the branch and stayed that way for a long while..so mom thought maybe we should feed it..so we did and it was hungry and ate that hopper and went back in the hide....hopefully it will be warm enuff in the hide.

[Aaron_S]

Think of the wild lighting. In the mornings it's kind of cold where the snake comes from too! The sun doesn't come up and everything is all warm and toasty within 15 minutes! Stick with the undertank heater but make sure you get a rheostat to make sure it's at the right temperature. Don't just use your hand.

[mykee]

Don't use a heat lamp for a ball python. Other species that require arid climates, yes, but ball pythons need humidity and heat lamps dry out the air. Under tank heaters or heat tape. That's the preffered method of heat for breeders (myself included) as if provides heat where the ball python needs it, from below.
I would also recommend buying an up to date book on the husbandry of ball pythons, one that tells you heat lamps are not for BP's.