Ball Python Question

[MarkLeishman]

Hi, ive had my ball python for just over a month, im new to owning snakes, * i had yellow bellied turtles before *
Id like to know a few things about my snake so i can understand more about it,

1. I keep seeing different temperature requirements on the hot side on different forums, i did have one bulb that was an exo terra 75w red heat bulb and with the digital probe placed at the back far corner of the vivarium it was going up to stupidly hot numbers like 103/105 degrees! straight away i got a white bulb that was 50w by mistake *i asked for a red one* is the white bulb alright for the 12 hours in the day?

2. Also, at night i turn the light off being as its white and the temperature goes to about 75.2 degrees, is this alright for night temperatures?

I dont own a UTH or a thermostat as im currently tight for money with car insurance coming up in the next 2 weeks

3. Ive weighed the ball python at 113 grams, its around 20 inches long and has a kind of triangular shape to it, im currently planning to feed it every 5 days from now until it sort of fills out in a way, as i dont feel that it is healthy enough, is this okay to do? because ive read about powerfeeding or whatever can reduce the lifespan of the snake?

Thanks for your time if you answer it

[elbee]

As far as a hot spot goes, I keep mine between 90-92. Belly heat really does work better with balls in my opinion and there are cheaper thermostats out there such as the hydrofarm. As far as feeding every five days, that is just fine for young bps. Sounds like he needs a little weight on him.

[Raven01]

Can you raise your infrared light higher?
The heat falls off pretty sharply with distance.
With a temp gun and a bit of time you could estimate the height you need to provide the right temps before re-installing and double checking on your habitat.
I love the infrareds a day or two before feeding, my snakes usually cruise the terrariums looking for prey at night. I get to observe their active behaviour instead of just pulling them out for handling and spot cleaning.

[MarkLeishman]

Is 75 degrees with nowhere to go anywhere hotter dangerous for my snake?
the most important thing is for my snake to be healthy, if that means spending money and not being on the road in my car for a month then thats fine with me

would it be alright to leave the light on *if i got a red one* at a 90 degree hot area at night?

[PitOnTheProwl]

Is 75 degrees with nowhere to go anywhere hotter dangerous for my snake?
the most important thing is for my snake to be healthy, if that means spending money and not being on the road in my car for a month then thats fine with me

would it be alright to leave the light on *if i got a red one* at a 90 degree hot area at night?

I would not let my temps get that low.
Put your original red light back in and go to the hardware store and buy a light dimmer, play with it till you get the temps close.

Second, start saving your money for proper heating. A good thermostat and some heat tape.

[MarkLeishman]

I would not let my temps get that low.
Put your original red light back in and go to the hardware store and buy a light dimmer, play with it till you get the temps close.

Second, start saving your money for proper heating. A good thermostat and some heat tape.

is that just a normal light dimmer and integrate it into the heat light holder?
then obviously at night bring it down a few degrees?

[PitOnTheProwl]

it plug into the wall and your light plugs into it.
there is no need to drop temps at all

[BHReptiles]

I answered your questions on your other thread...but I'll put them here to.

The white bulb is fine. However, you need to keep a hot spot 24 hours a day so your snake can thurmoregulate properly. Home Depot (I'm sure Lowes has something similar) has a "table top lamp dimmer" that you can plug your lamp into and that plugs into the wall. It's got a little control that will control how much power goes to your lamp. Feel free to use the red 75watt bulb with this because you can lower the amount of power until it gets to the 90* hot spot. I use this method for a corn snake and it works well. You just need to make sure you check it frequently (two or three times a day) to make sure the temps are right. It will fluctuate with your ambient temperatures.

When you aren't strapped for cash, think about getting an under the tank heater with a thermostat. Ball pythons digest better with an under the tank heater for belly heat but they will be fine with a lamp.

As for feeding, it sounds like your ball python is skinny. Don't jump to feeding it too quickly because it can do more harm than good. I got a very, very small ball python (She was 44g at six months old - that's smaller than a newborn fresh out of the egg) and I started her out feeding her small meals and working towards larger meals more frequently. I would start by feeding her a hopper mouse or rat pinky once a week for a few weeks then gradually feed something larger. Don't rush.

I don't know if you've seen this: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet but take a look. It's got a lot of valuable info.

One other thing to mention, with a heat lamp, you'll have trouble with humidity. Try keeping a damp towel over the screen top to hold humidity. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!