First Ball Python

Went to the Midwest Reptile Show today in Indianapolis and picked up my first ball python with my wife. This is my first snake and my wife previously had ball pythons and cornsnakes. Just wanted to say high and that I look forward to reading up and learning lots of information.

Hi! Welcome to your new addiction. :)

Pics or it didn't happen! ;)

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/show...mageuser=66095

Sorry for the crappy pic. Ill take a better one when my wife gets home.

Congrats on the new BP Rich. Best wishes!

Welcome and enjoy your stay.

I have an under tank heater and my warm side temps are right at 80 degrees. i know the temp needs to be higher, but I'm not sure how to get the temperature up. The UTH is on the right side of the tank and the tank is made out of what appears to be acrylic. The tank is designed for reptiles and opens from the front. I have the temperature probe near the back of the tank. Any suggestions?

Where are you taking your temperature?
What are you using to regulate your heating device?
What is the actual surface temperature of the surface of the glass the UTH is attached to?

Temperatures are taken on top of the substrate with a digital thermometer with a probe. On the cool side is a second digital thermometer with a probe and a hydrometer. I've got the temperature figured out which is a relief and the under tank heater is controlled using a rheostat. The under tank heater isn't attached to the glass, it's sitting on a piece of tile with the enclosure supported above it. Is my thermometer probe in the right spot? Thanks for all the help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RichH

Temperatures are taken on top of the substrate with a digital thermometer with a probe. On the cool side is a second digital thermometer with a probe and a hydrometer. I've got the temperature figured out which is a relief and the under tank heater is controlled using a rheostat. The under tank heater isn't attached to the glass, it's sitting on a piece of tile with the enclosure supported above it. Is my thermometer probe in the right spot? Thanks for all the help.

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Your snake can and will burrow. The hottest surface it can touch is under the substrate so this is what you want to know.