Temperature?? Humidity?

[Miss_lestrange]

I need help, well, my ball python needs help. On Sunday I bought my first snake, a baby ball python, when we came home I made his tank ready and then I discovered that the heat mat I used couldn't even bring the temperature up more than to 24 degrees. It covered about 1/3 of the tank so I guessed it was that the heat mat wasn't strong enough(only 7 watt). I ended up putting it in the tank underneath newspaper, and it got to 30 degrees at most.

So since on Sunday and Monday the shops are mostly closed, I went to buy a new heat mat, that was bigger (and this one is 20 watt, so I assume also stronger), today. We also bought different substrate that's supposed to be good at keeping humidity.

But now I've changed the heat mat and put it under the tank but again.. my tank doesn't get any warmer than 25 degrees! And as soon as I put the new substrate in (I used newspaper before), the tank started getting all foggy and the thermostat I have says the humidity is 99%! (Before it was changing between 50% - 70%).
The shop I was at was for reptiles, because I wanted to ask them for advise and they told me to get a heat lamp, but I can't get a heat lamp yet as the tank I have isn't that big (this will soon be changed to a proper terrarium), and I've also heard that a heat mat is best.

How do I make sure my snake is warm enough?? Why doesn't my heat mat work? I just want my snake to be comfortable but everything seems to keep going wrong..

[Pezz]

Are you measuring in Celsius? First thing i recommend is switching to Fahrenheit. You'll be able to dial in much more accurately.

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[Slytherin's Mommy]

I have a 20gal tank with a temporary heat lamp with a 50 watt bulb in it and it brings the heat right up. I'm getting a mat later for her.

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[SDA]

Ok sounds like you have some confusion on how to heat, measure that heat, and control humidity.

Your heat mat should be controlled by a thermostat first off. Never have an uncontrolled heat source directed toward your snake. That is first and foremost what should be on your mind.

Second, is the heat mat the only source of heat and what is your enclosure made of and how big is it size wise?

Next, what are you using to measure your heat in the enclosure and where is this thermometer located at? There are three crucial spots you need to test temps at: the floor of the inside of the enclosure under the hot side hide, the floor of the substrate on the cool side on or near the cool side hide, and the ambient temp or the air temp in the enclosure. If you are not measuring these with accurate means of taking temperature then you are not getting proper readings and running the risk of providing unwanted hot spots or cold spots for your snake.

There is a stickied care guide in this very sub forum that will help you better understand but it would be also helpful if you better described the snake's enclosure and how you are reading temps first.

If you need help converting Fahrenheit in these guides to Celsius, google is awesome for that. You absolutely do not need to convert to American temp readings at all.

Waiting to hear back with more information on your setup and your techniques for taking temperatures.

[Newbie39]

I need help, well, my ball python needs help. On Sunday I bought my first snake, a baby ball python, when we came home I made his tank ready and then I discovered that the heat mat I used couldn't even bring the temperature up more than to 24 degrees. It covered about 1/3 of the tank so I guessed it was that the heat mat wasn't strong enough(only 7 watt). I ended up putting it in the tank underneath newspaper, and it got to 30 degrees at most.

So since on Sunday and Monday the shops are mostly closed, I went to buy a new heat mat, that was bigger (and this one is 20 watt, so I assume also stronger), today. We also bought different substrate that's supposed to be good at keeping humidity.

But now I've changed the heat mat and put it under the tank but again.. my tank doesn't get any warmer than 25 degrees! And as soon as I put the new substrate in (I used newspaper before), the tank started getting all foggy and the thermostat I have says the humidity is 99%! (Before it was changing between 50% - 70%).
The shop I was at was for reptiles, because I wanted to ask them for advise and they told me to get a heat lamp, but I can't get a heat lamp yet as the tank I have isn't that big (this will soon be changed to a proper terrarium), and I've also heard that a heat mat is best.

How do I make sure my snake is warm enough?? Why doesn't my heat mat work? I just want my snake to be comfortable but everything seems to keep going wrong..

Hi. I live in a climate where either an air conditioner is running or a furnace. The room my snake is in I keep at 80. If you heat the room then your enclosure will be at the correct temp.

Also I don't think I would ever keep the UTH in the enclosure. Especially if it's not plugged into a stat. You could cook the snake. Your humidity could have changed because you covered a portion of the top.

[tttaylorrr]

first: WELCOME TO THE FORUM!


now a couple things: what are you using to measure your temperatures? are you sure these measurements are accurate? are you measuring the floor of the enclosure or the ambient (air) temperatures? also, you mention a thermostat but are describing your humidity. a thermoSTAT and a thermoMETER are two totally different things. so do you have your UTH hooked up to a thermoSTAT? ALL sources of heat MUST be regulated for your own safety as well as the snakes. this is nonnegotiable. and you do know that a UTH is not meant to affect ambient (air) temperatures, right? and please never put the UTH inside the enclosure. also a few more questions: what is the size of the enclosure, and is it glass? are you using analog or digital thermoMETERS and hygrometers? analog thermometers and hygrometers are crazy inaccurate; digital thermo/hygrometers are the way to go for peace of mind.

answering these questions will help us help you. i hope i didn't overwhelm you!!!

[Miss_lestrange]

Ok sounds like you have some confusion on how to heat, measure that heat, and control humidity.

Your heat mat should be controlled by a thermostat first off. Never have an uncontrolled heat source directed toward your snake. That is first and foremost what should be on your mind.

Second, is the heat mat the only source of heat and what is your enclosure made of and how big is it size wise?

Next, what are you using to measure your heat in the enclosure and where is this thermometer located at? There are three crucial spots you need to test temps at: the floor of the inside of the enclosure under the hot side hide, the floor of the substrate on the cool side on or near the cool side hide, and the ambient temp or the air temp in the enclosure. If you are not measuring these with accurate means of taking temperature then you are not getting proper readings and running the risk of providing unwanted hot spots or cold spots for your snake.

There is a stickied care guide in this very sub forum that will help you better understand but it would be also helpful if you better described the snake's enclosure and how you are reading temps first.

If you need help converting Fahrenheit in these guides to Celsius, google is awesome for that. You absolutely do not need to convert to American temp readings at all.

Waiting to hear back with more information on your setup and your techniques for taking temperatures.

I have asked at three different reptile shops for one that could control the heat mat, but none of them had one. This heat mat does turn off when it goes above a certain temperature, so it doesn't get too hot. (Not that that's a problem.. considering the heat mat itself feels like it's not hot at all)

Yes the heat mat is the only source of heat, and that tank is about 20 inches long and the enclosed is made put of glass, with a plastic top.

I have a thermostat sticking in the middle of the tank against the glass, and one on the ground on the hotspot, the first one is just a cheap one that stick to the glass and the other one was a pretty expensive one that also reads the humidity. (Its digital by the way)

By now I've read the thread so many times but somehow I can't seem to make sense of it at all! It might he because I'm autistic and need very clear instructions before I understand (which is why I asked the people working at the reptile shop first, as I expected them to know, but they didn't really offer advise apart from a heat lamp, which isn't possible).

[Newbie39]

I have asked at three different reptile shops for one that could control the heat mat, but none of them had one. This heat mat does turn off when it goes above a certain temperature, so it doesn't get too hot. (Not that that's a problem.. considering the heat mat itself feels like it's not hot at all)

Yes the heat mat is the only source of heat, and that tank is about 20 inches long and the enclosed is made put of glass, with a plastic top.

I have a thermostat sticking in the middle of the tank against the glass, and one on the ground on the hotspot, the first one is just a cheap one that stick to the glass and the other one was a pretty expensive one that also reads the humidity. (Its digital by the way)

By now I've read the thread so many times but somehow I can't seem to make sense of it at all! It might he because I'm autistic and need very clear instructions before I understand (which is why I asked the people working at the reptile shop first, as I expected them to know, but they didn't really offer advise apart from a heat lamp, which isn't possible).

So you have two stats for one heat mat? Thermostat probe needs to be between the heat mat and glass outside the tanks hot spot. It sounds like your mixing up the stats with a thermometer that reads the temps.

A thermostat controls the mat's output and should always be used. Mat's don't feel hot. They should feel comfortably warm. The hot spot should be around 90 cool side 80, ambient 80. maybe take some of the substrate out of the hot side and use newspaper or paper towel. that could raise the hot spot.

I don't use a tank a use tubs. So that's the best I can offer.

[MissterDog]

It's worth pointing out that the heat mat will not feel hot to YOU because we are warm blooded, and our natural body temperature is around 98 F. To a bp however, that's going to feel much hotter being cold blooded.

Having your heat source regulated by a thermostat (not to be confused with a thermometer which sounds like what you are describing) will keep everything in check and ensure there are no dangerous heat spikes. Please get one asap as relying on the auto shut off system is not reliable.

If you are on a budget and want a good, temporary thermostat to get started I recommend Jumpstart.

https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contro...art+thermostat

If you want a permanent, long term one, look into a Herpstat (best brand imo)
http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index....=index&cPath=1

Another option is Vivarium Electronics

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats

[SDA]

This heat mat does turn off when it goes above a certain temperature, so it doesn't get too hot.

Please explain this in more detail. Does this heat mat have a built in thermostat. Thermostat means device that controls the temperature of a heat source, thermometer is what is used to measure a heat source just FYI. Is this heat mat designed for reptile enclosures and can you give the brand name? I have only encountered one or two heat mats with built in thermostats and they were both terrible devices so I would be interested in what you have and how it controls itself to turn off when it gets too hot.

I have a thermostat sticking in the middle of the tank against the glass, and one on the ground on the hotspot, the first one is just a cheap one that stick to the glass and the other one was a pretty expensive one that also reads the humidity. (Its digital by the way)

I am going to assume you mean thermometer and it is most likely one of those analog dial ones that are horrendous for measuring heat and also is stuck to the glass via tape. Someone can explain why that is a bad idea, I want to focus on how you are taking temps and controlling heat.

That second one is most likely by the brand Acurite and is a great device for taking ambient (air) temperature and humidity so you have something decent there BUT unless it is one that has an attached probe with a cord it won't be able to measure the temperature the heat mat is heating inside the enclosure.

You have two choices, a thermometer with a digital probe that can be stuck to the bottom of the enclosure where the heat mat is on the other side or use a temperature gun much like this one to accurately get the temperature.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMI632G

if you are in canada

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00DMI632G


You have to measure at the bottom of the tank under hte substrate to get the true temp of the hot spot. Just reading from a thermometer placed in the enclosure will not get that reading. Others might be able to give you step by step guides on how to do it but that is the proper way.



As for thermostat, well we first need to know more about that heat pad you speak of. I am a little confused by how it shuts off automatically so before recommending a thermostat, you need to explain a little more.