New Owner with some Questions

[nca1979]

Greetings all!!!

New ball python owner here, and so far, it seems like things have been going great.

I have a 20L glass terrarium, and spent a good month making sure i could get the temps/humidity correct before I got him.

Got a UTH under the terrarium, and I use a lamp during the day only for about 9-10 hours max. Temps in the cage range from 90 to 85, and low 80s to high 70s at night.

Humidity has been decent, never dropping below 50%. During the day with the lamp (and yes I know they drain humidity big time) that is when the humidity drops the most. Then at night, with the lamp off, the humidity has reached high 70s, low 80s.

I'm using analog readers, and although everyone says to use digital.....How far off honestly do you think the analog readers are?

The snake for the first week so far has been reasonably active in the cage (as much as ball pythons are, ha), taking time to explore his new surroundings. After giving him about 48 hours to adjust, I tried feeding him, and he almost instantly devoured the mouse (frozen/thawed). After giving him time to digest (about 48 hours), I was able to sit down with him to finally pick him up and let him roam around on my hands and arms. Everything seems to be ok.

I guess I just want to make sure that what I'm doing seems correct. I know I should really go with digital readers, but do you think I should go with something other than the heat lamp, maybe a heat emitter or something? Are the analog readers ok for now or are they really that far off?

Thanks for the help and advice in advance!

[littleindiangirl]

I'm using analog readers, and although everyone says to use digital.....How far off honestly do you think the analog readers are?
Are the analog readers ok for now or are they really that far off?

Thanks for the help and advice in advance!

I wish I could remember where those comparison photos were of the acurite and the analog ones, right next to each other. Those analogs are very notorious for being horribly wrong in every way possible.

Consider that the stick analog ones are about 6$ (here anyways) why not spend 5$ more for a digital acurite thermometer/hygrometer (with a probe for the belly heat) from wal-mart? Can't go wrong in my opinion, I'm pretty sure you'll be much happier with the digital.

[dr del]

Hi,

I think this was the post you were talking about Connie;

Clicky Mc Linky

dr del

[Michael314]

Analogue hygrometers are fine as they don't need to be 100% accurate as long as they don't stick (mine got stuck at 55%). A stick on thermometer is sensitive but 1cm from the bottom on the hot side is equal to around 5-7 deg F depending on ambient temp in the room. At 2cm from the bottom it could be off by as much as 12 deg F. Assuming you use an undertank heating pad. A digital thermometer can have the probe against the bottom and will be more accurate to the real temperature, and if you get a digital thermometer you might as well get one with a hygrometer.

[Sparky1]

I have to agree with everyone, get digital it is a must!! I have seen multiple stick on type ones get stuck on a temp or humidity for no reason! Its way worth the 12 to 15 dollars!