Getting a baby ball python - temperature and space concerns

[hamsterman]

I am getting a baby ball python soon and I have the below setup:


34 quart plastic bin


6 x 8 inch UTH


The UTH says it is for 10-20 gallons, and 34 quarts is only 8.5 gallons, so I thought it might actually be too hot. But it seems like it might be too cold. Directly over the heat pad the temperature is just a bit above 90 degrees, which I think is good. However, the temperature rapidly drops off, and is in the 80's along the edge of the heat pad. The rest of the tank seems to be about 75 degrees, and the farthest point from the heat pad is 72 degrees. Humidity seems ok, at around 50-60%. I think it might actually be closer to 70% but it goes down when I open the lid.


Is this too cold? Could I be measuring the temperature wrong? It seems like the tank ought to be hotter.

I am also concerned that this setup may be too big for a baby ball python. The recommended tank size for babies seems to be 10 gallons, and although mine is 8.5 gallons the proportions of these plastic bins are not the same as a glass tank. Also, my hides are two dog dishes with a 7-inch diameter. Is that the correct size for a baby snake or do I need smaller hides?

[hamsterman]

I just set the thermostat in my apartment to 72 degrees. Previously I had it turned off and it was getting cold enough that I was not comfortable without a sweater on. Maybe the tank was losing too much heat to the room. I will see how this affects temperatures in there.

[hamsterman]

I am now getting a reading of just below 80 degrees and humidity 70% in the center of the bin.

Here is a picture if that helps at all

[satomi325]

80 for the cool side and ~90 for the warm side sounds good. Just make sure cool side doesn't go below 75. Anything below 75 will give your snake a respiratory infection.
Humidity looks good too.

For a baby. You might want to use tighter hides and have more general clutter in the tub. Babies are prone to stressing out in enclosures that feel too open. So just wad up some news paper or paper towel in there.
Your tub size is generally what would be used for an adult.
Babies do very well in 6-15 qt tubs(shoe box size). But your tub will work as long as you make it feel more secure.


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[hamsterman]

After I turned up my apartment's heat, I'm now getting a reading of 78 degrees on the cold side. Humidity got all the way to 80% though, which means I may need to make a second ring of holes on the tub.