...////--Ball Python Heating Issue--\\\\...

Stevothompson22 · 05-05-12, 12:34 AM

Hey guys/gals

I have a 5 month old ball python. She is 27 inch long not sure on the weight Sorry.
And I was told I had to put the heat mat on the side wall of my vivarium by the woman in the pet shop I got her from.
But I don't understand why :/
I would understand if she was older and had abit more weight to her because they are a heavey bodyed snake. But would thermal blocking and burning actualy happen in a baby ? They weight nothing at this age.
and the weight she is and the fact she has 2 inch of aspen bedding under her hide on the warm side of the tank above the heat mat and just 1 inch every were els will it cause any damage?? Because I don't think it will be a problem untill she is larger and I will have to change my set up obviously

Your views and comments would be a great help
Thank you

Charlie64 · 05-05-12, 12:56 AM

Heat mats are referred to as UTH, Under tank heaters. Usually they go under the tank...
Burning shouldn't be an issue depending on the wattage of your heat mat. As a general rule of thumb, I would put the heat mat under the tank, let it get hot, then take a temperature reading of the inside glass, because your snake will probably bury down in the aspen anyway to get closer to the heat. Refer to your Care sheet for the animal to see what your maximum and minimum temperature for the species should be. Depending on the type of ventilation you have (Screen top i'll assume) The heat mat being on the side of your enclosure doesn't sound like it would do much good since heat rises, and your snake is primarily a ground dwelling species. If the temperature of the inside glass is on the hot side after putting the pad under it, turn the pad down, or if it's not adjustable, get a lower wattage pad. Just make sure you put the pad on one side or the other of the tank, so your snake has the option to thermoregulate its self to stay comfortable. I may be missing the point of putting it on the side, just my two cents. Good luck with your Python!

Trollbie · 05-05-12, 01:03 AM

You should put the mat underneath the tank and get a thermostat.

USMCgunner11 · 05-05-12, 01:33 AM

I would ditch the UTH if possible. They are an unnatural form of heat and do very little if anything at all for the ambient heat of the enclosure. Plus, if you snake burrows down to get lower to the heat source they could potentially burn themselves if you are not regulating that heat with a thermostat.

You would be better of using at least a CHE or ceramic heat emitter. Better hearing options exist (heat panels) but this would be the most cost effective while they are still growing and possibly be requiring a larger enclosure in a year or two. What you will need is a heat lamp (you can get them at a hardware store for cheaper than at a pet store) a ceramic heat bulb (wattage will depend on the size of the enclosure) and a thermostat (you can buy them on amazon for fairly cheap).

This is obviously my opinion however, it is an opinion based on experience in using multiple methods of heating. Now, I only use CHEs or radiant heat panels.
Hope this helps

Terranaut · 05-05-12, 04:10 AM

If you have a UTH it goes under the tank. Even the pet store brands need a thermostat an I bet they didn't sell you one (they never do). Get one asap. You need it. It's not just for fanatics or anything. Imagine if the furnace in your house ran 100% all the time. Your house would be insanely hot. Anyway I also agree with getting a different heat source. Those mats are ok to get by with but radiant heat panels are the way to go. Check it out and congrats on 2 things. 1 you got a snake and 2 you found this site so all your questions can be answered

Gungirl · 05-05-12, 05:01 AM

Using a heat mat is fine as long as you have it on a thermostat. I would place it under the tank with the prob to the thermostat on it. Use the thermostat to control how hot the heat mat gets. Never run any heat source without a thermostat.

Stevothompson22 · 05-05-12, 09:23 AM

I have a thermostat and it's a wood vivarium That's why the heat mat is inside not outside and the pet shop didn't sell me one lol
The shop didn't Evan mension getting a thermostat to be honest
I will have a good look at all the options you have put forward thank you guys

Your all a great help

mykee · 05-05-12, 09:41 AM

Quote:

"They are an unnatural form of heat and do very little if anything at all for the ambient heat of the enclosure.
You would be better of using at least a CHE or ceramic heat emitter."

TERRIBLE! TERRIBLE! advice, please disregard it for the garbage it is.

Heat pads are meant to be used under the tank as belly heat as ball pythons spend 100% of their lives on their belly. You absolutely NEED a thermostat to regulate the temperatures that the pad emits, as these temps could get over 140 degrees. Aim for 90-95 degrees.

USMCgunner11 · 05-05-12, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

TERRIBLE! TERRIBLE! advice, please disregard it for the garbage it is.

Heat pads are meant to be used under the tank as belly heat as ball pythons spend 100% of their lives on their belly. You absolutely NEED a thermostat to regulate the temperatures that the pad emits, as these temps could get over 140 degrees. Aim for 90-95 degrees.

First off, how is this terrible advice? Second, the enclosure is made of wood. The mat is useless. She needs another form of heating. Placing it on the inside of the tank is dangerous. Please find an alternative way of heating ( as I described in my not terrible advice) ASAP.

KORBIN5895 · 05-05-12, 09:55 AM

Too bad mykee isn't on as this would have made my lunch break go so much faster.

Stevothompson22 · 05-05-12, 10:30 AM

well UHts are sealed units and are designed for reptiles in mind and snaked do not have claws so they will not scratch the heat mat or damage it.
so i think they will be safe to put in the tank under the substrate it is a 20W Heat mat running on a thermostat i and it is running at 90-93F the Humidity is around 71 to 79

**millertime89** · 05-05-12, 10:50 AM

its sealed, but it deteriorates over time. NEVER put a UTH or flexwatt in an enclosure without sealing it off to prevent water from getting on it.
That said, in a wooden viv, IMO a RHP or CHE is the way to go.
and the bit about a UTH being bad b/c is an unnatural from is a load of bs.

USMCgunner11 · 05-05-12, 10:55 AM

The last time I checked, the sun was in the sky, not underground. Making it unnatural.

youngster · 05-05-12, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCgunner11

The last time I checked, the sun was in the sky, not underground. Making it unnatural.

It doesn't really matter what's natural, it matters what's best for the snake, and UTH's are generally better for an extremely terrestrial snake.

Also, royals are nocturnal, no sun in the sky then.

Charlie64 · 05-05-12, 11:02 AM

Well, thats it, im going solar power for all my snakes. lol I now have an excuse to put skylights in my room.

Nocturnal species bask on rocks at night that are warmed by the sunlight during daytime. Wouldn't that kinda be the same concept as a uth?