Having issues with temperature

I just adopted my first Ball python, Eleanor, 2 days ago. I had the tank set up with a heat lamp, hygrometer, and a thermometer for the warm side and cool side. Before I even brought her home the tank was within the required temperature and humidity ranges. Now that she is in it it seems as though I cannot keep it at any of the right temps.

I have eco earth in the bottom, a humidity box with moss, a water dish. I use a 50w bulb for the heat lamp and the night lamp is a 75w. I'm assuming I need a stronger heat lamp, but I don't know what to do about the humidity, it stays around 50% but it was closer to 64% when I originally set everything up.

She has adapted well, she is social and explores her home. But I am worried that she seems to stay on the cooler side. The warm side is 85° and the cool side is about 78°. Is this normal for a BP? To stay on the cool side?

oh, and she is about 18 weeks old. I adopted her as a rescue from work. She was very malnourished and dehydrated but has been treated and rehabilitated. She is eating fuzzies every 4 days.

Don't worry about what side she spends her time laying on. Just worry about providing the correct temps. 50% is ok for humidity. When she goes into shed just give the tank a few extra sprays.

Welcome to the site!

You really need to warm the cage up a little. 88-92 F on the hot side, 78-82 on the cool side. Humidity needs to be between 40% - 60% normally and 60% - 80% during shed.

Do you have a under tank heating pad?

What are you using for hides?

A BP sitting on the cool side can be normal but it can also be a sign that something is off.

I do have an under tank heating pad and she has a tupperware container made into a humidity box for one hide and a rock that she likes to hide under. The humidity box was a recommendation from my vet.

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Originally Posted by areed9588

I do have an under tank heating pad and she has a tupperware container made into a humidity box for one hide and a rock that she likes to hide under. The humidity box was a recommendation from my vet.

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Is 85*F the temperature on top of the substrate on the UTH? Or is that the ambient air temperature on the hot side? Also, do you have a thermostat to regulate the UTH?

The 85° is the average temp on the basking side. The ambient temp is 83 or 84. Its so frustrating. I am buying a higher wattage bulb today to see if that helps.

Don't stress. 50 watts is a pretty low wattage bulb. Just get 1 bulb, maybe a 75 or 100 ceramic and use it all the time. You really don't need a day and a night bulb. BP's dont require the light, so switching from 1 bulb to another is a total waste of money.

Get an infrared thermometer or temperature gun and measure the temperature on top of the substrate. Also, what is your thermostat for the UTH set to?

My BP will spend time on the cool side if he didn't eat his last meal or the humidity needs to be bumped just a little bit. Once in a while he will even do it if he left his poo or urates in his warm side, but he usually just moves to the cool side to do those things.