Proper temperature & humidity range

Hi, I've had quite a few ball pythons before, and I recently purchased a new one. I'm just a little confused about what the temperature should be on the warmer side/cooler side and what is the ideal humidity %. I have a pretty good idea and my BP seems healthy and happy so far, but every site I search on gives different answers every time.

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You should have a hot spot between 90-94 (surface temp) and an ambient air temp in the low 80's. 75 at a minimum. This is also considered your cool side temp.

Humidity should be 50% minimum, 70% during shed.


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Her hot spot is in the high 80s, close to 90° and on the other it's reading at about 80° I've been making sure to keep the humidity level at least at 50% but it's hard to maintain with a glass enclosure and screen top, so I just mist several times a day and that seems to help. Thank you so much!! 😊

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Originally Posted by sheaziiekittyxo

Her hot spot is in the high 80s, close to 90° and on the other it's reading at about 80° I've been making sure to keep the humidity level at least at 50% but it's hard to maintain with a glass enclosure and screen top, so I just mist several times a day and that seems to help. Thank you so much!! 😊

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do you have anything covering the screen? i've used saran wrap as well as tinfoil and they work very well to keep the humidity in.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

do you have anything covering the screen? i've used saran wrap as well as tinfoil and they work very well to keep the humidity in.

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As of right now I've just been using a clean towel folded up so that it covers about half of the top. I didn't even think about saran wrap or tin foil, I'll have to try that. Thank you 😊

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Your temps sound pretty good.

As for the screen... If you'd like a more permanent solution, you could buy a piece of plexiglass/acrylic from home depot or lowes and cut it to cover about 3/4 of the tank lid. They also sell special knives for the acrylic that you will want to use also. Makes it a lot easier.

:)

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Your temps sound pretty good.

As for the screen... If you'd like a more permanent solution, you could buy a piece of plexiglass/acrylic from home depot or lowes and cut it to cover about 3/4 of the tank lid. They also sell special knives for the acrylic that you will want to use also. Makes it a lot easier.

:)

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I'm so relieved to hear that. It just gets confusing and a little worrisome hearing so many conflicting "ideal" temp ranges.

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Originally Posted by sheaziiekittyxo

I'm so relieved to hear that. It just gets confusing and a little worrisome hearing so many conflicting "ideal" temp ranges.

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Yeah I can imagine lol! There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet. Ball pythons are pretty hardy. as long as they have a temp range between 75-95 with a hot spot on the high side, they do fine.

Oh I did forget to ask, what kind of thermometers are you using and how are they placed in the tank?

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Yeah I can imagine lol! There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet. Ball pythons are pretty hardy. as long as they have a temp range between 75-95 with a hot spot on the high side, they do fine.

Oh I did forget to ask, what kind of thermometers are you using and how are they placed in the tank?

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I'm not sure what brand they are exactly at the moment, they're just pretty standard ones you can buy at any pet store. One is placed above the cooler side and is now reading 80° and the other is a thermometer and hydrometer placed above the hot side and is at 90° close to 50% humidity. I think I read somewhere that I should also have therms near the surface of the tank as well?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by sheaziiekittyxo

I'm not sure what brand they are exactly at the moment, they're just pretty standard ones you can buy at any pet store. One is placed above the cooler side and is now reading 80° and the other is a thermometer and hydrometer placed above the hot side and is at 90° close to 50% humidity. I think I read somewhere that I should also have therms near the surface of the tank as well?

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I also have an UTH below a heating lamp that I keep on during the day, but as of right now I have no way of gauging the temp the UTH is putting out.

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You have a couple potential husbandry issues. Please check this out.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?127203-Ball-Python-(Python-regius)-Caresheet

It is doubtful that the readings you are getting are accurate and it is sounding like your heat source is not regulated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sheaziiekittyxo

I also have an UTH below a heating lamp that I keep on during the day, but as of right now I have no way of gauging the temp the UTH is putting out.

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If you don't have a digital thermometer probe sitting above the UTH hot spot, unplug it. Are you using a thermostat to control the output of the UTH? If not, unplug it.

It's hard to tell what kind of thermometers you are using. Are they digital or analog (those round stick on ones with the needle)? This matters a lot because digital thermometers are much more accurate.

It is very possible that your tank is hotter than what those thermometers are telling you.

Not trying to beat you up here, just trying to make sure your little snake is a-ok! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

You have a couple potential husbandry issues. Please check this out.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?127203-Ball-Python-(Python-regius)-Caresheet

It is doubtful that the readings you are getting are accurate and it is sounding like your heat source is not regulated.

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So I should definitely invest in a digital thermometer/hydrometer? I had a feeling the ones I currently have weren't exact, but I thought they might have been at least pretty close to what the actual temps were. Any suggestions on how many thermometers I should have and the placements?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

If you don't have a digital thermometer probe sitting above the UTH hot spot, unplug it. Are you using a thermostat to control the output of the UTH? If not, unplug it.

It's hard to tell what kind of thermometers you are using. Are they digital or analog (those round stick on ones with the needle)? This matters a lot because digital thermometers are much more accurate.

It is very possible that your tank is hotter than what those thermometers are telling you.

Not trying to beat you up here, just trying to make sure your little snake is a-ok! :)

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No I don't have anything that reads the actual temp above the UTH, so I will definitely unplug it until I can get a probe and a thermostat.

But until I can, all I have for a source of heat besides the UTH is an overhead lamp and I turn it off at night so I don't stress my snake out. So should I just keep the light on at all times to make sure it's warm enough until I can get everything I need to use the UTH properly?

I know, I really appreciate all of your answers 😊 trust me, I want what's best for her too, that's why I'm asking and finding out anything I'm doing wrong.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by sheaziiekittyxo

No I don't have anything that reads the actual temp above the UTH, so I will definitely unplug it until I can get a probe and a thermostat.

But until I can, all I have for a source of heat besides the UTH is an overhead lamp and I turn it off at night so I don't stress my snake out. So should I just keep the light on at all times to make sure it's warm enough until I can get everything I need to use the UTH properly?

I know, I really appreciate all of your answers 😊 trust me, I want what's best for her too, that's why I'm asking and finding out anything I'm doing wrong.

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Oh and the thermometers and hydrometer I have are both analog, so I'll definitely be switching to digital.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by sheaziiekittyxo

But until I can, all I have for a source of heat besides the UTH is an overhead lamp and I turn it off at night so I don't stress my snake out. So should I just keep the light on at all times to make sure it's warm enough until I can get everything I need to use the UTH properly?

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snakes handle cold temperatures much better than hot ones; your bby will be fine for a few days without a UTH as long as your ambient temps are okay.

many of us use AcuRite digital termometers/hygrometers. here's an amazon link for the one i use but you can find it at walmart. AcuRite also makes digital thermometers that have a probe, so do a little research to figure out what you need.

You want something that measures at least two temperatures. There are a lot of indoor outdoor wired thermometers on the market that do a pretty good job. This is the only one I know of that does the whole shebang. For this thermometer, you will put the probe under your substrate where your UTH is and put the unit itself on the other side of the enclosure (AKA the cool side).

For a thermostat, we have the super low end, and the super high end. Both of these will get the job done, but obviously the herpstat will do a better job. I've used thermostats like the jumpstart in the past and they have worked just fine.

The heat situation. If you can, go out and get a moonlight, red light, or ceramic heat emmiter of the same wattage as your current bulb. This will be just fine in the meantime.

I would suggest skipping any upcoming feeding days until you can get your heat situation figured out.

Oh do you have a photo of your setup?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sheaziiekittyxo

So I should definitely invest in a digital thermometer/hydrometer? I had a feeling the ones I currently have weren't exact, but I thought they might have been at least pretty close to what the actual temps were. Any suggestions on how many thermometers I should have and the placements?

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You need a thermostat and a heat gun to take temps more than you need thermometers at this point. The temp on the floor is what needs to be regulated by the thermostat. I don't use a hydrometer because of where I live, but if the one you are using is not digital it is probably not very accurate. The people that just posted above me are pointing you in the right direction.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

snakes handle cold temperatures much better than hot ones; your bby will be fine for a few days without a UTH as long as your ambient temps are okay.

many of us use AcuRite digital termometers/hygrometers. here's an amazon link for the one i use but you can find it at walmart. AcuRite also makes digital thermometers that have a probe, so do a little research to figure out what you need.

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That one doesn't look like it has a probe. :( Looks so nice too!

I use that digital acurite one linked above for an ambient temp thermometer on the warm side, I like how it gives the minimum and max temp so I can make sure that side doesnt get too warm in the ambient (since my heat lamp hits that side more) .... and of course it also has the humidity on it

However, I ALSO use a separate digital therm on just the hot spot under the substrate to monitor the surface above the UTH that does have a probe .... so in effect I have two thermometers monitoring my warm side

And then another one monitoring the cold side with the probes suction cupped a couple inches above the surface (humidity and temp both)

I might be a little thermometer happy lol.....

I have an IR gun too

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

You need a thermostat and a heat gun to take temps more than you need thermometers at this point. The temp on the floor is what needs to be regulated by the thermostat. I don't use a hydrometer because of where I live, but if the one you are using is not digital it is probably not very accurate. The people that just posted above me are pointing you in the right direction.

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Thank you!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpacegirlSpiff

I use that digital acurite one linked above for an ambient temp thermometer on the warm side...

However, I ALSO use a separate digital therm on just the hot spot...

And then another one monitoring the cold side with the probes suction cupped a couple inches above the surface

I might be a little thermometer happy lol.....

I have an IR gun too

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The first step of recovery is admitting you have a problem. LMAO. [emoji23]



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I might have a touch of OCD lol... It keeps my anxiety calm to overcompensate I guess

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

You want something that measures at least two temperatures. There are a lot of indoor outdoor wired thermometers on the market that do a pretty good job. This is the only one I know of that does the whole shebang. For this thermometer, you will put the probe under your substrate where your UTH is and put the unit itself on the other side of the enclosure (AKA the cool side).

For a thermostat, we have the super low end, and the super high end. Both of these will get the job done, but obviously the herpstat will do a better job. I've used thermostats like the jumpstart in the past and they have worked just fine.

The heat situation. If you can, go out and get a moonlight, red light, or ceramic heat emmiter of the same wattage as your current bulb. This will be just fine in the meantime.

I would suggest skipping any upcoming feeding days until you can get your heat situation figured out.

Oh do you have a photo of your setup?

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I'm gonna work on getting all of that this week then definitely. I can probably go and get a different bulb tonight in the meantime. I don't have a picture at the moment, I can get one in a little bit. She's just in a 10g glass terrarium with a screen top with 2 hides, 1 on each side, aspen substrate (which I'm starting to question now) a water dish, and a big tree for her to climb on.

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I used to have a round clock type from petco therm and humidity... I got freaked out by everyones' comments so I made myself a PID thermostat, 0.01 degrees error and 0.03% error deviation on power output. Meaning: industrial grade, extremely precise.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ad993f6af6.jpg
I'm waiting for the hygrostat I ordered directly from honeywell to install it on the other side of the HMI.

Just to find that my $1 petco clock type therm is spot on every time I check on it.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e819ff0712.jpg

So yes digital is more accurate and reliable but in my experience analog did just fine. and we're talking of a bill difference of $1.75 analog vs. $214 digital.

[emoji51]just saying.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike17

I used to have a round clock type from petco therm and humidity... I got freaked out by everyones' comments so I made myself a PID thermostat, 0.01 degrees error and 0.03% error deviation on power output. Meaning: industrial grade, extremely precise.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ad993f6af6.jpg
I'm waiting for the hygrostat I ordered directly from honeywell to install it on the other side of the HMI.

Just to find that my $1 petco clock type therm is spot on every time I check on it.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e819ff0712.jpg

So yes digital is more accurate and reliable but in my experience analog did just fine. and we're talking of a bill difference of $1.75 analog vs. $214 digital.

[emoji51]just saying.


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Neat stuff you are doing there. The problem with those analogs from the pet store is not that they are never accurate. I am sure there are a couple in a batch that are. The problem is that the build quality sucks and I have zero confidence that even two would give you the exact same reading. Analog is still great in my book, but a good analog anything requires at least periodic calibration. I have serious doubts that for the price of those gauges that they are or even can be calibrated. That said, I personally take humidity readings with my finger and it works for me. Don't ask. It's voodoo. lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

That said, I personally take humidity readings with my finger and it works for me. Don't ask. It's voodoo. lol

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[emoji23]Yeah!!! I know!!! I'm a manufacturing engineer at GM I'm responsible for the machining process of the valve body of the 6 speed automatic transmission, and valves have tolerances as strict as +/- 0.050 mm for position. We measure position with a Zeiss CMM and I have seen twice an operator adjust the CNC by sight!!!!! The first time my jaw dropped to the floor. Some people senses are natural gages. LOL!


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