Ball Python help needed!

THERMOSTAT OR REHOSTAT

Problem solved

Right my UTH is inside my tank with a few sheets of newspaper on it, more than the cool end so that it doesnt burn the snake but provides enough belly heat. Im in england so im not sure how the prices for that rheo stat compares but i will definatly have a look into it now, i have just checked the tamp and humidiy for the cage and its at 90 degrees hotspot 82 degrees cool spot with humidity at 20 thanks for this help its been great its just humidity which is my problem and feeding :/ thanks!

Hopefully some of the UK members will see this and tell you where to get the stuff at...

i am really gratefull for all this help :) sorry for all the hassle as i am a noob when it comes to ball pythons :) i really do wish that my local reptile shop was as helpfull as you guys.

Dont worry if you dont want to but could someone just give me a straight forward list of the things i need to do :)

thanks, Harry

Here is a quick list:

1) You need to get some way to control the UTH. A thermostat will work best, but you can also use a rheostat or a lamp dimmer. You can get those at hardware or home improvement stores.

2) Cover the UTH with something. If plexiglass is not an option, you can try getting a cheap plastic tub and cutting the bottom out of it and mounting it with some small wood screws to hold it down over the UTH. Just something to protect it from the snake, urine, feces,or spilled water.

3) Two identical hides. One over the UTH and one on the other side.

4) Water bowl. This doesn't really need to be big enough for the snake to soak in, but a larger shallow bowl will help with the humidity.

5) Digital temperature/ humidity gages will give you more accurate readings than the dial or tape stick on type...

6) If the heat lamp is mounted inside the enclosure, you need to make sure there is a screen around it so your snake cannot touch the bulb...

Are your thermometers digital ones with probes? 78-80 where the UTH is seems awfully cold as a UTH will reach temps of 120* if left unregulated... You want to measure the temp right above the UTH so you know the temp the snake is sitting on.

There is a thermostat that is relatively inexpensive in the UK although I can't remember the name. Habistat maybe?

ahhh my thermometres are right at the top of the cage :S

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ord0s

ahhh my thermometres are right at the top of the cage :S

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they need to be down near where the snake will be spending most of its time.

will there be much of a difference then?

I think if you measure the temperature of the UTH you will find a big difference. The temp on the surface of an unregulated UTH can get hot enought to burn your snake...