Slightly confused

[joey1522]

Hi

I have had a ball python for around 5 yrs now and have always used a heat mat and bulb for heating the viv. Unfortuanelty my snake some how managed to open the cage over the bulb and wrapped himself around it, when the temp raised in the morning he got quite badly burnt, which led to scale loss then infection and much stress for me but undoubtably more for my poor friend. All in all its my fault completly and lesson learnt.

Any way, I have been told not to use heat mats as they can burn snakes unless put under a glass cage, my is wooden so heat wont go thru too much. Also rocks are defo out, heat pads on ceiling don't put out enough heat, and ceramic strip heaters are too expensive.

What do others use.

Many thanks in advance for replies.

[Smynx]

What about a radiant heat panel?

[JLC]

Ouchies! Poor snake! Is he all better now?


I'm not sure what the best "inexpensive" way to safely heat a wooden cage would be, but you should take a look at these:

http://www.boaphileplastics.com/radiant.html

They are safe to put inside the cage. They may seem pricey, but if you want to stick with the wooden cage, they might be the best way to go.

If money is a huge issue, you might want to consider switching cage-types and go with a rubbermaid-type tub which heat easily from outside sources like inexpensive flexwatt and hold humidity very well.

I do'nt have my bp yet, so am only speaking from what I've read over the years. I'm sure our more experienced peeps will have other suggestions.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Having tried most of the radiant heat panels on the market, I can personally endore the RHP's from Pro-Products.

www.pro-products.com .... they are safe to touch and when coupled with a proportional thermostat, will keep your enclosure at the perfect temps and keep your snake safe.

Unlike some companies, Pro-Products has OUTSTANDING customer service and ships almost immediately. Bob Pound (the owner of Pro-Products) is a wealth of information about all things herp related and will take them time to make sure that you get the right product for your application.

-adam

[joey1522]

Hi

Thanks for the fast responses.

Yes he is ok now but he still has a few big scarrs, The smell when i went into the room in the morning was awful burning flesh, so upsetting, felt really guilty doing this to my friend. After many trips to a vet he healed up ok but after 4 months of healing he got an infection on his underbelly from head to bum but that was taken care of, not sure what it was now but he did have some human antibiotics so must have been bad. Stopped him eating for 9 months. Shedding early was a nightmare many long evenings soaking in bath with water and iodine(which worked an absolute treat). That was nearly 2 yrs ago now and he is fine, eating well.



I went with the wooden viv for aesthetics, so it looks pleasing to the eye, found glass too fragile.

I have looked at some heat panels that you mention, they are pricey but well worth the safety and comfort of my friend, and some with 10yr warranty will cost less than replacement bulbs etc.

Did you want to see any pix of snake

Cheers,

Joe

[joey1522]

I have emailed Pro products about the heat panels , many thanks, looks like the ideal solution


Joe.

[JLC]

We'd love to see pics of your friend! (You'll find we're rather picture-happy around here! )

Seems to me like you're an excellent keeper who simply didn't foresee the chance of the little booger escaping and deciding a dimmed bulb was a comfy heat source. I'm SO glad you were able to rescue him in time to save him and that you were willing to go to all that expense and trouble to make sure he is healthy and happy!

[frankykeno]

Love to see pics of your snake Joe and welcome to BPNet. Glad you joined us!

We adopted a mature female ball a few months back who carries a large though long healed scar down her spine. Our vet felt it was likely from direct contact with a hot lightbulb but as we have no real background on this snake, that is an educated observation by our herp vet. Orlah is doing beautifully, scarred or not and is in fact breeding this year if all goes well. Whatever her past, she has the most accepting, trusting and gentle nature of any of our ball pythons.

I can imagine how badly you must have felt at the time but it seems you dealt with it immediately and kept up close observation and vet treatments as issues arose. Sometimes that's all anyone can do to try to make things right again.

Lucky for us it seems snakes don't retain memory of these things and are the ultimate survivors. I'm glad yours is doing so well and look forward to seeing pictures of him.


~~Joanna~~

[joey1522]

pictures here, i have had him since 3 months old



http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...699#post321699

[joey1522]

Thanks for the warm welcome.