Bulb question

I just bought my baby ball python a new heating bulb. I got him a 50 watt infrared spot bulb, but it's black instead of red. Will he be okay or do they have to have red light?

the color does not matter. :gj:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

the color does not matter. :gj:

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Thank you! I read on some other post that black bulbs were harmful to ball pythons:( So thats relieving to hear:)

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Originally Posted by Traceur

Thank you! I read on some other post that black bulbs were harmful to ball pythons:( So thats relieving to hear:)

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i can't think of any possible reason that a black bulb would be harmful to a ball python while a red bulb would not be...sounds like a bunch of malarkey to me. ;)

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i can't think of any possible reason that a black bulb would be harmful to a ball python while a red bulb would not be...sounds like a bunch of malarkey to me. ;)

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The person claimed it had something to do the UV Rays? But they did state they could be entirely wrong. But as much as a paranoia as I am, I had to check and see if it was true or not

Lol, lucky to be a part of this forum:D

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Originally Posted by Traceur

The person claimed it had something to do the UV Rays? But they did state they could be entirely wrong.

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all light bulbs give off some UV radiation, regardless of color. ironically, some people will argue that you should provide your snakes with UV light for the "health benefits". there is 0 scientific evidence to back that up, but some people will argue otherwise.

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Originally Posted by Traceur

But as much as a paranoia as I am, I had to check and see if it was true or not

Lol, lucky to be a part of this forum:D

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always get your information from multiple sources to ensure you're getting correct and vetted information. the only stupid question is the one not asked! :gj:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

all light bulbs give off some UV radiation, regardless of color. ironically, some people will argue that you should provide your snakes with UV light for the "health benefits". there is 0 scientific evidence to back that up, but some people will argue otherwise.


always get your information from multiple sources to ensure you're getting correct and vetted information. the only stupid question is the one not asked! :gj:

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Sweet, thanks for the explanation! I myself only believed that red bulbs were the way to go. I didn't even think the color would make a difference until seeing that post, but thank you for proving that untrue otherwise:)

They definitely don't need red light. People use red lights for nighttime heat under the mistaken impression that reptiles can't see red, so you can watch them without them knowing. But ball pythons actually can see red light. If you don't believe me, try flashing the lamp at your snake's face and see if you can get a reaction. If the snake reacts, it can obviously see that light.

So if you want to give your snake actual darkness at night you need a bulb that produces no visible light at all. A ceramic heat emitter is essentially that. You screw it into a regular socket, and it makes a lot of heat, but no visible light.

The other reason why a CHE is better than an incandescent bulb of any color is that you can use it with a thermostat, which will turn it on and off as needed in order to keep the cage at the right temperature. If you did that with an incandescent bulb, you'd have this light flickering on and off all the time until the light bulb just burned out. That means you can have a CHE at a higher wattage than you actually need, and it won't overheat the cage - the thermostat will control it. But if your room gets colder, and you need more heat to get the right temperature in the cage, you'll have enough capacity to achieve that and you won't need to touch a thing - it will just adjust automatically, as needed.

Then whatever you do for light for the sake of a day/night cycle can be totally independent of heat.

The UV bulbs people talk about when they talk about providing UV are fluorescent and not at all the same as a black incandescent bulb. The black bulb won't hurt your snake either, but again - your snake can still see it just like you can. So it's darker than a bright light, but it's not actually all the way dark.

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Originally Posted by Coluber42

They definitely don't need red light. People use red lights for nighttime heat under the mistaken impression that reptiles can't see red, so you can watch them without them knowing. But ball pythons actually can see red light. If you don't believe me, try flashing the lamp at your snake's face and see if you can get a reaction. If the snake reacts, it can obviously see that light.

So if you want to give your snake actual darkness at night you need a bulb that produces no visible light at all. A ceramic heat emitter is essentially that. You screw it into a regular socket, and it makes a lot of heat, but no visible light.

The other reason why a CHE is better than an incandescent bulb of any color is that you can use it with a thermostat, which will turn it on and off as needed in order to keep the cage at the right temperature. If you did that with an incandescent bulb, you'd have this light flickering on and off all the time until the light bulb just burned out. That means you can have a CHE at a higher wattage than you actually need, and it won't overheat the cage - the thermostat will control it. But if your room gets colder, and you need more heat to get the right temperature in the cage, you'll have enough capacity to achieve that and you won't need to touch a thing - it will just adjust automatically, as needed.

Then whatever you do for light for the sake of a day/night cycle can be totally independent of heat.

The UV bulbs people talk about when they talk about providing UV are fluorescent and not at all the same as a black incandescent bulb. The black bulb won't hurt your snake either, but again - your snake can still see it just like you can. So it's darker than a bright light, but it's not actually all the way dark.

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That's good to know, thank you:)
An equal amount of people said they either can or can't see the red light. But knowing this, it really helps. I control the lighting through my room so he knows when it's day and night. But hopefully a darker bulb will be better than the red one I was using currently?

Also, I'll look into those heat emitters. Thank you!

Black lights designed for the old velvet posters and Halloween decorations (they produce the glowing effect) produce uvb C which is said to be harmful.

Sent from my 5049Z using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by boidavid

Black lights designed for the old velvet posters and Halloween decorations (they produce the glowing effect) produce uvb C which is said to be harmful.

Sent from my 5049Z using Tapatalk

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Ah, now I see! That's good to know:)

I'll jump in & tell you that I use red OR black incandescent bulbs to add a little overhead warmth for some of my snakes...they do not seem bothered by
either one & they definitely don't like bright lights, so red or black bulbs are much better than regular white incandescent bulbs (& for most of our snakes).
I do agree with Coluber42's explanation...CHEs are a good option too, depending on what you're keeping & how much warmth you need them for.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'll jump in & tell you that I use red OR black incandescent bulbs to add a little overhead warmth for some of my snakes...they do not seem bothered by
either one & they definitely don't like bright lights, so red or black bulbs are much better than regular white incandescent bulbs (& for most of our snakes).
I do agree with Coluber42's explanation...CHEs are a good option too, depending on what you're keeping & how much warmth you need them for.

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Thanks for explaining. I might get a CHE if I see one next time I go to my local pet store. But for now, I'll have to get a 75 watt black bulb instead; the 50 watt wasn't hot enough. So I'll definately be back there tomorrow


Thank you:)

I use Che s for my ball pythons. They dont need any light from a bulb. They get daylight from the window. If you want to see them with the red or black, cool. If not, get a Che.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I use Che s for my ball pythons. They dont need any light from a bulb. They get daylight from the window. If you want to see them with the red or black, cool. If not, get a Che.

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Sure thing! I'm still experimenting here and there with heating bulbs n such, so I'll definately give them a try when I can:D

I use lamp dimmers for all my incandescent lights...that's another reason they aren't very bright: I always dim them way down. It's just that some of my
snakes like to bask overnight- my spotted python especially, on her driftwood, but also my Trans Pecos rat snakes like to snooze in their branches or in the
baskets wired into them, so in winter, I "spoil" them with a little overhead warmth...& if it bothered them, they'd use another spot, but they seek it, and they
also have UTH & hides on the floor of all cages. They just appear to LIKE to curl up in baskets...& it's SO cute! My Florida rat snakes & corn snakes all have
baskets they use on & off too, even during the day.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I use lamp dimmers for all my incandescent lights...that's another reason they aren't very bright: I always dim them way down. It's just that some of my
snakes like to bask overnight- my spotted python especially, on her driftwood, but also my Trans Pecos rat snakes like to snooze in their branches or in the
baskets wired into them, so in winter, I "spoil" them with a little overhead warmth...& if it bothered them, they'd use another spot, but they seek it, and they
also have UTH & hides on the floor of all cages. They just appear to LIKE to curl up in baskets...& it's SO cute! My Florida rat snakes & corn snakes all have
baskets they use on & off too, even during the day.

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Aw, how sweet! I bet they could tell that you love them:D It seems like everybody's ball pythons have a certain thing they commonly do here and another. So do they actually have their own individual personalities? Like cats and dogs? Does that mean my little one will have one of his own too?

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Originally Posted by Traceur

Aw, how sweet! I bet they could tell that you love them:D It seems like everybody's ball pythons have a certain thing they commonly do here and another. So do they actually have their own individual personalities? Like cats and dogs? Does that mean my little one will have one of his own too?

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You bet they have their own personalities! And I like to offer options in their enclosures...sometimes they don't use right away...but after a week or so they finally
trust it or figure out what it's good for, lol... The baskets are mostly shallow-bowl shaped, & you know how we always talk about snakes liking "back pressure" in their
hides? I guess that's sort of the same thing, they like curling up against the sides of a basket. I just had a hunch, & when the first one worked, I furnished many of the
other cages too...and yeah, it's adorable. Some have humid hides instead (my corn snakes, etc) & snakes love those too- I love their little noses peeking out at me. :D
When they use these things I know for sure they really "approve" and they look so contented.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You bet they have their own personalities! And I like to offer options in their enclosures...sometimes they don't use right away...but after a week or so they finally
trust it or figure out what it's good for, lol... The baskets are mostly shallow-bowl shaped, & you know how we always talk about snakes liking "back pressure" in their
hides? I guess that's sort of the same thing, they like curling up against the sides of a basket. I just had a hunch, & when the first one worked, I furnished many of the
other cages too...and yeah, it's adorable. Some have humid hides instead (my corn snakes, etc) & snakes love those too- I love their little noses peeking out at me. :D
When they use these things I know for sure they really "approve" and they look so contented.

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Dang, you really have everything set up for them XD
That's amazing too! You've already influenced an idea I'll have eventually for my own sooner or later. Golly, just hope he behaves himself when his personality adapts further. He really enjoys stressing me out and traumatizing me like there's no tomorrow

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Originally Posted by Traceur

Dang, you really have everything set up for them XD
That's amazing too! You've already influenced an idea I'll have eventually for my own sooner or later. Golly, just hope he behaves himself when his personality adapts further. He really enjoys stressing me out and traumatizing me like there's no tomorrow

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It's been many years but my first couple snakes felt like a 'trial by fire' too, but it made me fight harder to figure them out. You're lucky...you have all of us to ask.
Part of what I love about keeping snakes is the creativity that it involves to get their environment just right to bring out their personality & keep them healthy.
Anyway, you'll get there...;)

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Originally Posted by Coluber42

They definitely don't need red light. People use red lights for nighttime heat under the mistaken impression that reptiles can't see red, so you can watch them without them knowing. But ball pythons actually can see red light. If you don't believe me, try flashing the lamp at your snake's face and see if you can get a reaction. If the snake reacts, it can obviously see that light.

So if you want to give your snake actual darkness at night you need a bulb that produces no visible light at all. A ceramic heat emitter is essentially that. You screw it into a regular socket, and it makes a lot of heat, but no visible light.

The other reason why a CHE is better than an incandescent bulb of any color is that you can use it with a thermostat, which will turn it on and off as needed in order to keep the cage at the right temperature. If you did that with an incandescent bulb, you'd have this light flickering on and off all the time until the light bulb just burned out. That means you can have a CHE at a higher wattage than you actually need, and it won't overheat the cage - the thermostat will control it. But if your room gets colder, and you need more heat to get the right temperature in the cage, you'll have enough capacity to achieve that and you won't need to touch a thing - it will just adjust automatically, as needed.

Then whatever you do for light for the sake of a day/night cycle can be totally independent of heat.

The UV bulbs people talk about when they talk about providing UV are fluorescent and not at all the same as a black incandescent bulb. The black bulb won't hurt your snake either, but again - your snake can still see it just like you can. So it's darker than a bright light, but it's not actually all the way dark.

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Let me get this straight, you move around a hot bulb and you wonder why a snake that sees heat noticed? And yes you can use a Che on a thermostat, but they burn three times hotter at the base then a comparable bulb. Right over your tank, zapping humidity. I’ve been using infrared bulbs for years, so have many others. They work just fine.

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Let me get this straight, you move around a hot bulb and you wonder why a snake that sees heat noticed? And yes you can use a Che on a thermostat, but they burn three times hotter at the base then a comparable bulb. Right over your tank, zapping humidity. I’ve been using infrared bulbs for years, so have many others. They work just fine.

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I know you can use a CHE with a thermostat, that’s what I said. I also did not say that you can’t use “infrared” bulbs, just that if it makes red light that you can see, the snake can see it too and therefore it isn’t all the way dark. They can certainly do just fine with it, I don’t think that in itself is really a big deal. Just something to be aware of.
All of these things produce actual infrared radiation whether or not they produce visible light, but the component of the red light that you can see is in the visible spectrum.

In any case, I personally think a CHE is a better heat source than an incandescent bulb because you can use it with a thermostat to fine-tune the temperature. With an incandescent bulb it’s either on or off, and you get what you get; the only adjustment you can make is to raise it higher above the lid. So if the temperature in your house fluctuates over the course of the day when you’re not at home or at night when you’re asleep, an incandescent heat lamp won’t adjust to compensate.

For the record - to test how my snake would react to red light, I used a red LED bike light. So not much heat there (although they can detect minutely small temperature differences). And I made a point of holding my hand still while turning it on and off, and rotating it in order to point the light different directions. I also tried blocking and un-blocking it with a piece of cardboard. I did this in a totally dark room with nothing but a very dim light inside the cage - just enough that I could see if the snake moved. In other words, I did everything I could think of to make sure that if he reacted, the reaction was to the light itself and not to something else. My conclusion was that yes, he can see it - at least, he can see the wavelengths that that particular LED emits. I did not repeat the test with a wide variety of LED’s in various shades of red.

I actually use blacklight heat bulbs for both of my snakes for overhead heat. I like them because they are a nice low visible light that doesn't keep me up at night.
I know both snakes can see it because both sometimes look right at the light at night when they're out roaming, but it seems more just curiosity than any adverse attention I also haven't seen any stress signs indicating that it bothers them.
I also chose blacklights because of the low amount of visible light they produce because I keep my snakes near a window so they are running on a natural day/night schedule with the rising-setting of the sun here. I haven't heard that these sorts of bulbs in any color have any adverse effects tho.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I use lamp dimmers for all my incandescent lights...that's another reason they aren't very bright: I always dim them way down. It's just that some of my
snakes like to bask overnight- my spotted python especially, on her driftwood, but also my Trans Pecos rat snakes like to snooze in their branches or in the
baskets wired into them, so in winter, I "spoil" them with a little overhead warmth...& if it bothered them, they'd use another spot, but they seek it, and they
also have UTH & hides on the floor of all cages. They just appear to LIKE to curl up in baskets...& it's SO cute! My Florida rat snakes & corn snakes all have
baskets they use on & off too, even during the day.

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Pictures of snakes in cute baskets please! Lol.