New python owner!

[rossie]

We have a 4 month old ball python. We are using an UTH and a infrared light on top for heat. I have noticed that when the infrared is on shes stretched out to the top but when it is off or not on her tank she stays near the bottom of the tank. Is this normal, or is she having an issue with the light? Temp on hot side is 87 and cool side is 82.

Thanks!

[thejennabird]

Do you have a thermostat regulating your UTH? Do you know exactly the temperature of the tank right above the UTH? When I've heard of this behavior before, it's frequently because the UTH isn't providing correct temperatures for your snake to thermoregulate. Therefore your snake is attempting to thermoregulate via the infrared lamp, rather than the easily-accessible UTH. Hence why I ask what your UTH is regulated by!