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.

I will mention a tragic incident I had with a snake a few years back in a tank with a damaged heat pad. The heat pad had cracked from age, but it was on the side stuck to the tank.. the glass tank then cracked because of the exposed wires underneath, plus the water (humidity) in the substrate above. The water in the substrate above conducted the electricity from the exposed wires below the tank into the substrate. When we got back from our 5 day vacation we discovered this. Heartbreaking way to lose a snake :(

1. NEVER EVER Re-Use a UTH that has been stuck to the bottom of a tank. When you peel it off, you may/will crack the wiring inside it, thus rendering it unsafe.

2. check the underside of your tank every time you change the water or substrate for cracks

User preference and room temps play roll in what you can use

Used back heat and dont like it. Snakes didnt digest meals as fast.

So I set it up with 3 inch flexwatt back heat and the hottest the floor of the tub ever gets is about 88*F. This worries me because it is just borderline warm enough with the heat tape cranked all the way up. I'm thinking of getting two strips of 11 inch and seeing how that goes. The rack is 24 inches wide so only two will fit. I'm hoping the middle tub will be warm enough. I know the hot spot is usually in the center of the heat tape but hopefully with the other two tubs surrounding it the middle column will stay a good temp. :please:

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Originally Posted by MiamiRoyalPythons

So I set it up with 3 inch flexwatt back heat and the hottest the floor of the tub ever gets is about 88*F. This worries me because it is just borderline warm enough with the heat tape cranked all the way up. I'm thinking of getting two strips of 11 inch and seeing how that goes. The rack is 24 inches wide so only two will fit. I'm hoping the middle tub will be warm enough. I know the hot spot is usually in the center of the heat tape but hopefully with the other two tubs surrounding it the middle column will stay a good temp. :please:

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I have 11 inch for my adult back heat rack.
I think 88-89 is perfect for hatchlings. I like to keep my hatchlings a little cooler than my adults. But that's just me. I'm sure others have other temps.