Is flexwatt tape better than a heatpad for ball python?

[unoos.riyad]

is flexwatt tape better than a heatpad for ball python?? im getting a baby one soon and im gonna keep it in a 28 quart tub

[Sgpython]

Heatpads are better and a 28 qt is to big for a baby python

[Eric Alan]

Heatpads are better and a 28 qt is to big for a baby python

I agree that a 28 qt is likely too large for a baby, but I'm not sure why you say that a heat mat is better than heat tape. Care to elaborate?

[BiggBaddWolf]

Either one is ok, but you need to use a thermostat no matter which one you choose

[CryHavoc17]

For a single tub a heatmat will do fine. Flexwatt is more useful for racks or large, multiple cage towers where you want to wire all the hotspots together to run off one thermostat. I mean, you can do either just fine. Id just do the heat mat so I didnt have to mess with unnecessary wiring and such.

I agree that a 28 qt is likely too large for a baby

Nonsense. Babies can be raised virtually any size tub if you set it up properly. Sure, if you dont use hides, and your tubs have nothing but a water bowl in them, a 28 quart probably wont work.

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[Sgpython]

Flexwatt heat tape is better for a rack but if u only have one snake a heat pad would be better and some heat tapes you need to know how to install

[Eric Alan]

Nonsense. Babies can be raised virtually any size tub if you set it up properly. Sure, if you dont use hides, and your tubs have nothing but a water bowl in them, a 28 quart probably wont work.

How is "likely too large" nonsense? Ball pythons feel safe in small spaces, and living in a larger space can make them feel exposed and unsafe. Can you try and compensate for this in a larger space? Yes. Is it significantly easier to help them feel safe in a smaller space? Yes.

[alan12013]

They like to hide* in smaller places. While I'll openly admit I am no herpetologist I am interested in learning how to best care for these guys. If I had to take a guess at this time I would think that a change in enclosure size has more effect then initial enclosure size. Meaning if I were to purchase a young ball python and place him into a 41qt sterilite with a hide on each side with a water dish that actually doubles as a hide in the middle I think he would be in a good low stress situation. If I were to house that same ball python in a 28qt tub for a month or two then move him up to a 41qt then he would feel a little stressed due to a home change as well as his world being expanded, this might cause a temporary food strike. I've noticed no difference between the snakes that I started off in 41qts v the ones that I start in 28qts. When I have snakes in a larger enclosure that is even larger then a 41qt I notice they will explore the entire enclosure up and down as long as they have some nice tight hides to escape to just in case, some more then others obviously. As I continue to collect more and more BPs I'll probably do some experiments with this but as it stands now I'm under the impression that I could house a neonate in a warehouse so long as there are plenty of hides places in various temperature gradients for him. I've also talked about this same thing regarding chameleons as some people believe a free range chameleon lives a less stressful life then one in a cage it's whole life.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Flexwatt heat tape is better for a rack but if u only have one snake a heat pad would be better and some heat tapes you need to know how to install

Actually no and no.
Either heat source will work for you as long as it is regulated and you remember than an UTH is for a hot spot NOT TO HEAT AMBIENT TEMPS.
I don't know why everyone thinks there is some secret special way to "install" heat tape, its not that hard but if you are not mechanically inclined you can always order from Reptile Basics, they will wire it for you.

[Mr. Misha]

x2 what Pit said.