Raising ambient temp but not basking temp?

[AndrewM1217]

So last year around this time I still had my spotted Python in a glass tank with a UTH. Now, he is in a 3x1.5x1.5 enclosure made of wood with a sealed finish (melamine? I think that's what it's called but I'm unsure). Anyway, since the bottom panel is too thick for a UTH I've been using a CHE. With winter being here, I've noticed dips in the ambient temp. It's sitting at about 82 degrees on the warmer end and 79-80 on the cooler end of the cage. His hot spot right under the UTH is fine at 92 degrees, but i'd like to raise the ambient temp back up to about 81-87 for the cool/hot ends respectively. Outside of installing a radiant heat panel, is there an easy way to achieve this?

Also, I've noticed the CHE definitely dries the cage out faster than the UTH. Thankfully spotted pythons don't need a ton of humidity, but any tips and tricks to keep the humidity up are welcomed as well. I was thinking mixing a little damp sphagnum moss into his substrate.

[dannybgoode]

CHE's don't dry the tank out as such. Because humidity is relative to temperature and because a Che is more effective at raising ambient temps (to be honest a uth is useless for raising ambient temps) the humidity appears to drop much quicker.

If you turned the che off, even without misting the viv etc you would see the humidity rise again proving that the che is not drying the air at all.

To be honest-if the basking spot is hot enough and the cool end cool enough (or even a bit cost than strictly desired) then the snake can thermoregulate properly and there is nothing to worry about.

To effectively raise the ambient temp otherwise then you need to increase the room temp in which the viv is kept.

[Albert Clark]

I would consider a oil filled room heater and shop for the ones with built in thermostats.

[AndrewM1217]

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

I would consider a oil filled room heater and shop for the ones with built in thermostats.

Seeing as the snake tank is in my bedroom, this is a no-go for now haha.

Also, I live in Southern Arizona where the winter is only ever, at the ABSOLUTE coldest, about 30 degrees F and thats a very rare occurance, and only ever in the middle of the night. My house itself won't be below 75 degrees ever, so should I be in the clear?

[trailblazer295]

I wouldn't worry too much if the cold end drops a couple degrees over the winter. As long as your hot side is on point the snake will move around accordingly. All species of snakes are used to some degree of temperature change throughout the year. I monitor my cold sides but don't do anything extra to raise them. My house is 68-72f in winter with the snake area being a few degrees warmer and 75-78f in summer. Never had any issues with behaviour, eating, shedding or general activity. My BP refused to eat most of last winter but that's normal breeding season for them so normal thing for a male to do.