Heating questions

Ok so a while back I got a RTB and was convinced by the woman at the pet store (not a chain more of a mom and pop thing) that all she would need is a heat lamp to warm the cage and that a heating pad wasn't needed but now in not sure.....I am also wondering because I got my first BP a week ago and I am running a heat lamp and while his temps are good but the humidity is a little low so I was thinking about using a UTH with a thermostat but i don't know about ambient temps...would I still need heat lamps to maintain the ambient temps? I don't think the heating pad would really help with that....should I just stick to a heat lamp and maybe cover the screen with some damp washcloths? Or do they need a heating pad? My RTB seems to be doing fine without one...or should I get one for her too? Oh and if it helps I don't use tube i use glass enclosures....sorry for bombarding the questions I love my snakes and want what is best for them


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Tubs* not tube lol


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The answer is "it depends."

If you can create the desired temps with just a heat lamp then you are fine. If you are having a problem creating a hot spot and keeping the ambient temps where they need to be then maybe a UTH and a lamp.

I keep a cold house (bout 68 at all times) so my ball python 40 gallon glass tank has a UTH, ceramic heater and a set of low watt bulbs for alittle extra heat on the cool side and the day/night cycle.

I would say that if your temps are good but your humidity is the only problem try covering the top (outside) with foil tape and try the trick I use of placing moss in the hides. Then just mist it during regular times and make it damp during shed times. Doing this gives me perfect sheds.

Hope I read your post right and answered your question.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

The answer is "it depends."

If you can create the desired temps with just a heat lamp then you are fine. If you are having a problem creating a hot spot and keeping the ambient temps where they need to be then maybe a UTH and a lamp.

I keep a cold house (bout 68 at all times) so my ball python 40 gallon glass tank has a UTH, ceramic heater and a set of low watt bulbs for alittle extra heat on the cool side and the day/night cycle.

I would say that if your temps are good but your humidity is the only problem try covering the top (outside) with foil tape and try the trick I use of placing moss in the hides. Then just mist it during regular times and make it damp during shed times. Doing this gives me perfect sheds.

Hope I read your post right and answered your question.

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Actually you answered perfectly so I can assume you read perfectly as well :)! Thanks that's actually what I thought just wanted to make sure....and thanks on the moss tip I'll definitely be using that...right now his hot side/ basking is never below 88 or above 91....and I don't have a second thermometer but I can imagine the cool side is about right seeing as my room is always around 75 and since his cage is rather small the heat lamp should have is cool side just about right I am definitely planning on getting a thermometer for the cool side the next chance I get though....that all sound about right?


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The heat lamp should have HIS cool side*.....I swear this iPhone gives me headaches sometimes!


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Tubs aren't a nice to see as a display but you'd be amazed how much better they hold the conditions your snakes require.

The boa will tolerate lower ambient temps better than the BP but the humidity will affect them both about the same. If you must keep them in glass aquariums then I'd say cover about 3/4 of the screen top with tin foil so you can lay a wet washcloth over the remaining bit to help with ambient humidity. A larger diameter water bowl will also help raise that since higher surface area of water will equal faster evaporation.

Tubs will also help a lot with the ambient temps since glass doesn't conduct heat nearly as well as the plastic used in tubs.