Ball python Temps?

ok thanks guys, im going to the pet store to get a zoo med digital thermometer with a probe asap, it sucks how stores like home depot dont sell thermostats.

This would be your better choice.
I know my Walmart and Home Depot carry this one.

http://www.acurite.com/digital-indoo...r-00891a2.html

So i got the thermometer and it's at 92 and 93, thats pretty good right? I just hope that this thermometer is accurate. Also, i know that ball pythons take it really easy during the day, so its completely normal for him to be on the heated area almost all day right?

Alright so were exactly should the probe be? I put it inside the cage in the substrate and it also makes contact at the bottom of the cage, is that fine?

You might also try setting a bag of rice or something on top of the probe for a couple of hours and then checking the temperature. When the snake sits on it for awhile, its body will trap heat and the temperature will go up higher than when the probe is just sitting there. I have my heat mat on a dimmer and set it so that the hot spot is around 87-88 with no snake on it. It goes up to about 91-92 after he's been sitting on it for awhile. (The rest of the enclosure is on a thermostat and stays constant, and the bottom of the tank under the heat mat is also very well insulated, so the heat mat and how much it changes when it gets sat on is very predictable, even if the outside room temperature changes.)
If nothing else, it's good to know the difference in how hot it might get when it's being sat on as opposed to when it's not. Better not to worry that a new snake who's too nervous to come out and switch to the cool hide will overheat when its body insulates the basking spot and ends up way hotter than you thought it would get.

Well i guess i dont have much to worry about anymore since the temps are perfect. Im just a bit scared about feeding. Where i got him from they feed live hoppers, can i transition him to frozen hoppers?

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Originally Posted by Nathan7004

Well i guess i dont have much to worry about anymore since the temps are perfect. Im just a bit scared about feeding. Where i got him from they feed live hoppers, can i transition him to frozen hoppers?

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If you haven't fed him yet start with the live hoppers. After he eats 4 times for you then you can try switching. That's what was recommended to me. Just make sure you don't leave any live prey unattended. If he has already ate for you a few times go ahead and try frozen.

Ok thanks for the tips :)

Quick question, how much of the tank should the heat pad cover? Right now its just covering one side of the tub but not half of the tub, is that ok?

As long as the snake fits on the pad it will be good.