Basking Area

[demonicchild]

I'd like to set up a basking area for my bp. His temps are great but I'd like to give him a choice. The problem is...how? The temp in his tank without any extra heat source is 80 all day. I do not allow it to drop at night. It is often a few degrees higher, though. Money is an issue so what's a nice, simple way to create a warm area for him? I have a heat lamp I could use but putting it in his tank it out of the question, obviously. The lid is heavy plexi glass and his light is just a large fish tank light, not designed for heat. Oh, I do have a human heating pad...could that be of use? Safely? The tank is 50 gallons.
Ideas?

[STORMS]

Could you post a pic of the setup? It would help a great deal

[Michelle.C]

Human heating pads can not be used safely. It is also vital that your Ball Python has a basking area for proper digestion and overall health.

I'd suggest picking up a reptile heating mat ($15 or so), and a dimmer from the hardware store ($10 and under). The dimmer will allow you to control the intensity of the heat. You can also pick up a sheet of flexwatt and wire your own heat pad. Flewatt would be the cheaper method, if you can find some locally.

Please post a picture of your enclosure.

[demonicchild]

I'll get one when I get home
Where would you put this mat?

[Michelle.C]

I'll get one when I get home
Where would you put this mat?

On the right or left side. This will allow for proper thermoregulation, giving the animal the choice between ambient temperatures (82-ish) or basking (92-ish).

[demonicchild]

I mean, under the tank? Could the weight of the tank hurt it?

[Michelle.C]

You can place it on the side of the tank, but I prefer them on the bottom.

I use pegs or anything handy under the corners of the tank to elevate it off of the surface of the table. This allows for air to circulate under the tank and reduce risks of a burn or fire.

[demonicchild]

Thanks.
To clarify this, it is NOT okay to just have a single temperature throughout the tank because of the reasons you listed. I can always raise the tank temps for a bit before and after feeding to aid in digestion.

I think a basking area would be best so the snake can regulate its own temp, as you stated.

[frankykeno]

Snakes are ecotherms which means basically they need their environment to help regulate their temps. That regulation is called "thermoregulation" and yes your snake needs it to be healthy, to digest it's food, etc. For a ball python you want about a 10 degree difference from your warm side to your cool side. Warm side should be about 90-92 degrees, with the cool side being about 80-82 degrees. Those temps should be 24/7 unless you are specifically adjusting temps for breeding cycles.

Your UTH (under the tank heater) should achieve these temps but only cover about 1/3 of the footprint of your enclosure (the warm side). With a 50 gallon tank, however, you are very likely to have problems trying to keep your cool side warm enough. Most likely you are going to have to use two heat sources set at seperate temps unless the room your snake's enclosure is in is very naturally warm. Speaking of the room make sure your snake's enclosure isn't in direct sunlight. That sunlight, while it might help warm the enclosure, can easily spike to unsafe temps in a glass tank.

I'd suggest either a smaller, easier to maintain enclosure or suggest you phone Rich at www.reptilebasics.com Explain to Rich your setup, the temps you are trying to achieve, the temps in the room the enclosure is in, type of lid on the enclosure, etc. He's an expert in the field of heating enclosures and will be able to advise you on the best heating options for your snake's enclosure at the most cost effective price for you.

[demonicchild]

The temperature of the room is in the 80's. I have a space heater in the room and am measuring the temp on the substrate in the tank.

We get paid on the first. Will he be alright until then? Sorry for all the questions, I've just had corns before him and I'm just getting used to all the different needs of the snake. No sunlight, btw. There is a window, but at a safe distance.