Temperature question

[Kururu]

When people say ball pythons need a basking spot of 88-96F I've always wondering something. Is that the temperature the space directly under the heat lamp should be or just the overall temperature of the space around it?

[ckuhn003]

When people say ball pythons need a basking spot of 88-96F I've always wondering something. Is that the temperature the space directly under the heat lamp should be or just the overall temperature of the space around it?

I think what they are referring to is a BP needs a hot side (surface temp) of 88-92ish. 96 seems pretty high. The ambient temps (air temps) should hover around 80F. You also need a decent temperature gradient on the other side (surface temp should be low 80s).

[Stewart_Reptiles]

First it's 88-92 and even 92 is overkilled, 96 is just not appropriated for that species. second it is the measurement taken right above the enclosure's floor on the hot spot.

Ambient temp, as in air temp should be no lower than 75.