Beginner keeper- A few questions?

Question 1: When I was researching how to take care of a Ball Python (before I got one), I never read that I would need a heat lamp to maintain my temps on the cold side!
They're currently fluctuating between 72F and 76F. They're supposed to be around 80F, if I'm correct. Should I get a heat lamp, ceramic heat emitter, or what? If I do, will I need a thermostat for that, too? I'm really confused, because I haven't heard anything about that before. If it's relevant, I have an Exo Terra terrarium, with a screen top and ventilation on the front. I have a damp towel over the cold side of the terrarium to keep the humidity up. Humidity is at about 60%, and the hot side is at 90F.
Question 2: Should I be using terrarium carpet or a liner? I'm only using aspen shavings now. Again, in all the care sheets I read, it didn't mention using a liner, so I'm not sure.

Let me know if you need more info to answer the questions.

A heat lamp would raise your ambient temps, but how are you measuring the temperatures? A temp gun would give you surface temps but a thermometer is only going to measure the air temp (ambient temp). If you end up needing another heat source, I would recommend a second heat pad with a thermostat or at least a dimmer. A heat lamp will kill your humidity and electric bill.

As for the cage liner, you could use one but the aspen is better. I tried the cage liners at one point and a lot of people on here recommended against them. They can also be difficult to clean. I tend to use paper towels originally with any new snake because it makes it easier to spot things like mites and then switch to a substrate.

What are you using as a tank ??

What are you using to heat it ??

I don't use any type of liner in my tanks just Aspen and Repti Bark

1. It really depends on the area you live in, and the temps you keep your house at. 72* is a little cool. Might be worth getting a low wattage infared light to keep your ambient temps up. You don't really need a second thermostat, but you do need something to control it with. I prefer to use dimmers with lights. You can pick up a piggy back dimmer from the home depot or lowes for around $10. It's a little dimmer slider that you can directly plug something into. No wiring required.

2. No need for a liner. Just the aspen is fine.

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Originally Posted by Kinra

A heat lamp would raise your ambient temps, but how are you measuring the temperatures? A temp gun would give you surface temps but a thermometer is only going to measure the air temp (ambient temp). If you end up needing another heat source, I would recommend a second heat pad with a thermostat or at least a dimmer. A heat lamp will kill your humidity and electric bill.

As for the cage liner, you could use one but the aspen is better. I tried the cage liners at one point and a lot of people on here recommended against them. They can also be difficult to clean. I tend to use paper towels originally with any new snake because it makes it easier to spot things like mites and then switch to a substrate.

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I'm using an Accurite thermometer/hygrometer to measure the temps. Probe is on hot side, stuck to glass above UTH.

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Originally Posted by ExotixTowing

What are you using as a tank ??

What are you using to heat it ??

I don't use any type of liner in my tanks just Aspen and Repti Bark

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As I said the my question, I'm using an Exo Terra. I have a UTH controlled by a thermostat on the hot side.


So it's okay if the cold side is that cool? It won't hurt my snake? I'm new to this, so I'm still learning.

Your tank over all might be a lot cooler than you think. With the prob in-between the aspen and the glass the surface temperature might be 3-4 (or more) degrees cooler. In my boa's cage with 2-3 inches of cypress mulch the thermometer I had between the glass and the substrate read around 100 to make an 88 degree hot spot.

Temp guns aren't too expensive (I got mine for around 20) and will give you an accurate reading of the surface temp. In my experience snakes are like rocks in the sun and absorb heat fairly well. As long as your hot spot is right I think it's okay that the cool side isn't perfect. They will still have the heat gradient they need. If you can get it up that's great, but don't break your back trying to get it absolutely perfect.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by Arcapello

Question 1: When I was researching how to take care of a Ball Python (before I got one), I never read that I would need a heat lamp to maintain my temps on the cold side!
They're currently fluctuating between 72F and 76F. They're supposed to be around 80F, if I'm correct. Should I get a heat lamp, ceramic heat emitter, or what? If I do, will I need a thermostat for that, too? I'm really confused, because I haven't heard anything about that before. If it's relevant, I have an Exo Terra terrarium, with a screen top and ventilation on the front. I have a damp towel over the cold side of the terrarium to keep the humidity up. Humidity is at about 60%, and the hot side is at 90F.

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Depending on the temperature of the room you keep the snake in you might need another heat source on the cold side. You could use a lower wattage bulb on a dimmer and just play until you can get all the temps right.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arcapello

Question 2: Should I be using terrarium carpet or a liner? I'm only using aspen shavings now. Again, in all the care sheets I read, it didn't mention using a liner, so I'm not sure.

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You only need one type of substrate. Aspen is perfectly fine on its own!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kinra

Your tank over all might be a lot cooler than you think. With the prob in-between the aspen and the glass the surface temperature might be 3-4 (or more) degrees cooler. In my boa's cage with 2-3 inches of cypress mulch the thermometer I had between the glass and the substrate read around 100 to make an 88 degree hot spot.

Temp guns aren't too expensive (I got mine for around 20) and will give you an accurate reading of the surface temp. In my experience snakes are like rocks in the sun and absorb heat fairly well. As long as your hot spot is right I think it's okay that the cool side isn't perfect. They will still have the heat gradient they need. If you can get it up that's great, but don't break your back trying to get it absolutely perfect.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Thanks! He was right by an air vent, which we hadn't realized. We closed that vent and his cold side is up to 76. I'm thinking I'll make his hot side a bit warmer (92-93F)