Belly vs back heat

I was wondering if anyone could explain the virtues of using either system. Which is best? Also, who provides the best racks for those on a budget?
Thanks, chris

Dunno about the racks, but for ball pythons, I would say that UTH are the betters. They're nocturnal, I think, so they wouldn't have the sun to heat their backs. They use the heated ground for warmth. Nocturnal: UTH, Diurnal: Lamp

I should clarify. I was talking about the rack systems which use heat tape running along the back of the rack versus the bottom of the shelves. Thanks, chris

Ooooh.... Well then, I doubt it will make much of a difference. It might be a bit better to put it on the bottom, but it won't really change anything too much.

You might try searching a bit, but I'll start you off. I have 2 Boaphile's but there is a significant waiting period for them. I have heard a lot of good stuff about HerpEnclosures and Animal Plastics as well.

There are a few people that are talented enough to be able to build their own racks as well.

Anyway, I hope that helps a bit.

It is easier to install back heat in a rack. It is just attatched to the inside of the back wall. You won't be able to control heat on each shelf, so you'll have to be keeping animals with similar heat requirements in the rack.

With belly heat, you can either use one long piece of tape and weave it through the rack, or you can install one strip for each shelf. If you do this, you can control the amount of heat for each level.

I have read that you should only use back heat in rooms where ambient temps never fall below 75 degrees. Belly heat should be used in rooms where temps can fall below 75, as it will provide a direct heat source for the snake to lay on.

Back heat is definitely more effective in warmer rooms and also when used in hatchling racks due to the smaller size of the tub. I have used both and prefer belly heat.

I am using belly heat in my rack; in my logic, heat rises; so it rises into the tub, into the snake. :)

Belly heat here...one strip on each shelf all controlled by one unit. Each strip is the exact same length. I have each strip wired with a plug individually however so if I needed to I could have a different heat setting on that shelf if needed or for cycling snakes that will be bred.

For ball pythons it seems to me belly heat would be "better" for a couple reasons. They need the heat to aide in digestion, which they can directly access with heat directly under the tub. I also would think that belly heat would be more efficient for heating tubs since it will rise directly into the tubs heating both the "ground space" and the ambiant space. I tried back heat for a very short time and I had to crank it up quite a bit higher to before the tub temps got remotely close to the same as they did with under heat. In both cases the room was at a constant 80F or slightly more. I run belly heat and keep the room between 78-80.

Since heat rises, belly heat radiating upwards is best if you're looking for maximum efficiency ... if you're building your own racks, back heat is a lot easier to do.

I have racks with both back heat and belly heat and animal for animal, my snakes do better with belly heat.

-adam