Heating

[babydoshia]

Hello. I am planning on getting a Ball Python in the next few weeks. I have been researching them for a while now and finaly have the time and money to get one. This will be my first snake.

I was wondering if it is alright to use an infared light as the constant heat source, day and night. My house gets very cold at night so a light at night is a must. Is infared ok to use constantly? If so, what wattage should I get?

Also, I'd like to use a heating pad under the enclosure just to make sure it's warm enough. I'm going to be using a rubbermaid as my enclosure and was wondering what kind of under tank heater or heating pad would be safe to use?


Thanks ahead of time for the help.
-Madelon

*I cant wait* :mrgreen:

[BallPythonBabe448]

You should get a red repti-bulb for 24/7 heat. Yes, the heat pad will be safe to use, but get a human heating pad.

[Schlyne]

Infra red is fine to use constantly, but you should make sure you have an under the tank heater first, whether it is a human heat pad or an under the tank heater.

Belly heat is very important for digestion. If it's a few days before you get your snake, I recommend you get the heat pad or under tank heater first, slap it on, set it up, get some substrate in there, and use a digital thermometer to measure your temps. if it's still not warm enough, then pick up the heat lamp and get a 50W or 75W bulb. I don't think they make heat bulbs in a lower wattage than that.

You can pick up an accurite thermo with a humidity reading at wal mart for about 20$ and that will give you a great reading for temps and humidity.

[Cody]

They go as low as 40 watt. I have a 40 watt night glo bulb I use off and on when needed.

As others have said, yes an infrared bulb is fine. It's probably the best type of bulb you can use for ball pythons, since they are nocturnal but can't see the red spectrum of light. So they wouldn't be bothered by the constant light. I do recommend that the main heat source be a UTH since bp's digest much easier with belly heat. I'd say get a heat pad and a digital thermometer and set up your cage. Then observe the temperatures on the hot and cool sides for a day or two and see if a light would be necessary to keep the temperatures up. Generally though, if you have a heat pad that covers about half the tank bottom, it'll create a fine temperature gradient.

[justcage]

A thermostat is another item to put on your list. Even if using a human heating pad a thermostat will give you percise control over the snakes environmet. And as Cody said a thermometer is a must, or even a Temp gun...

[sk8er4life]

uth are a must and the theremometers are too