Question about hiding spots.....

Yes, hot spot or basking spot are the same. 90 hot, 80 cool. Just remember that.
Burning takes time. If you do not have something to read the temperature and dim it, I suggest you get something as soon as possible, like tomorrow. UTHs can get up to 120 degrees pretty easy. It is also very difficult for us to guess temperature based on touch.
I hope it all turns out ok.

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Originally Posted by EvesFriend

I don't have a thermostat so I assume that the temperature is right not to burn him and he hasn't burrowed either.

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Many people have made the mistake of "assuming" that an unregulated UTH won't burn their snake because it hasn't so far. All the snake has to do is coil up and that is enough to push the substrate away so he is sitting right on the glass. It is better to take precautionary measures to prevent burns rather then dealing with the vet bills that come with the burns.

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Originally Posted by mr. s

Yes, hot spot or basking spot are the same. 90 hot, 80 cool. Just remember that.
Burning takes time. If you do not have something to read the temperature and dim it, I suggest you get something as soon as possible, like tomorrow. UTHs can get up to 120 degrees pretty easy. It is also very difficult for us to guess temperature based on touch.
I hope it all turns out ok.

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90 Hot meaning the substrate only in the basking spot and 80 or so ambient?

As Kaorte mentioned, right on the glass it can't get above maybe 93 ish. In my tank I clear the substrate a little from the uth so that the snake is pretty much right on the glass anyway, then I just keep it at 90.

Ok, I have the basking spot 90-95, the ambient temp is 78-85 or so on both sides. Why does the snake continue to go to the hide on the basking side? I just made a little hide in the "cool side" and she rearely uses that.

Yes that is basically correct. Personally (every set up is different) I have a vision enclosure that is larger (24x24x12) than some ppl use. The ambient temp of the location is 79º. This is the total ambient temp in the room and in the enclosure. Directly over the location of the UTH (it is on the outside NOT inside ;-) I have a hide. The temp of the substrate in the hide is about 90-91º the air temp inside the hide drops into 88-86º. The air over the hot hide is a bit lower again 85-2 and as I more the thermometer to from hot to cold about inch off the substrate I get 87º over the UTH 85º, 83º and at the glass from the coldest point I get 79-80. You need a thermal gradient. These numbers demonstrate a good gradient.
Hope this helps.
Alex

Mine actually uses the cold hide more but they are individuals as long as you have enough hides (one for each end of the gradient at least) they will move about as they wish and need to regulate their internal temperature.

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Originally Posted by EvesFriend

Ok, I have the basking spot 90-95, the ambient temp is 78-85 or so on both sides. Why does the snake continue to go to the hide on the basking side? I just made a little hide in the "cool side" and she rearely uses that.

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Don't worry about where the snake spends the most time. It will do what it wants. If it wants to be cooler, it will move to the cool side.

Yup, don't worry about it. I have bps that like to stick to the hot spot too. The important thing is that they have the option.

unless there in with another snake for breeding most of my snakes stay in there hides on the warm side and come out just as it begins to get dark. they cruise the cage drink and before you know it there back in the hide spot on the hot side. they do that a few times a night then stay in there hide for most of the day. i wouldnt worry to much as long as everything is set up correctly