Back Heat v.s. Belly Heat for hatchlings

So I picked up this hatchling rack a while back and it's a great rack but what I didnt realize is that it is so tightly built that it is impossible to snake the heat tape for belly heat. The only other time I have used back heat was with some leopard geckos and I did see a significantly slower growth rate than with belly heat. What are your experiences with raising baby balls on back heat v.s. belly heat? Any difference? Big difference? :snake:

I haven't tried, but I doubt there would be a noticeable difference.

Thanks, that is what I had thought, until I tried it with the leos. But could be totally different for the ball pythons. Anyone else have any experience?

If nobody who has actually tried comments here you might try contacting one of he big breeders, or rack manufactures. I'm sure one of them would know, and most seem to be happy to answer questions.

belly heat is good because it lets the snake sit right on the heat but are a little less safe if a malfunction happens your tubs burn up, while with back heat you have little to be concerned about.

now as far a growth im not sure about any of that.

i'd go back heat:gj:

I've read most hatchling racks use back heat. Belly heat may heat a hatchling tub improperly because they're so small; may get too warm and not have that "cool" side.

I have an adult back heat rack. Works fine for me and no problems.


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I only have one belly heat rack left. Back heat gives me a better gradient and substrate doesn't effect the temps the snake actually sits in. Once I get rid of that rack I will have back heat for hatchling through adult.

Alright, so from what I'm gathering, balls do just fine with back heat then. Awesome.. now one more question. For a rack with 6qt tubs, would I want to use 3 inch flexwatt or 11 inch? In other words, do I want to cover pretty much the whole back of the rack, or just have a strip for each column of tubs?

I prefer back heat for hatchling racks (6 qt). The reason is that I believe belly heat makes it harder to get a thermal gradient from the back to the front of the tub. Back heat, in my experience, provides the better gradient.

Ok, thanks everyone, I will keep it as a back heat rack then.

So for each column of tubs should I use 3" flexwatt or 11" flexwatt? I feel like 3 wouldnt be warm enough and 11 would be too wide.