BP and driftwood

[Gennymariev]

So I know there’s some debate on whether or not driftwood is good for ball pythons. I have two ball pythons, and both have driftwood in their tanks. Both seem to love it. They come out at night and climb all over the driftwood.

For the last two nights in a row though, one of my girls has been sitting at the highest point of her driftwood, which is almost directly under her CHE. She curls up in a ball and just sits there with her little head poking out. Temp gun reads that part of the driftwood is at around 95 degrees.

Should I be concerned?

*Before I get husbandry questions, both tanks are set up the exact same way. Reptichip, some fake plants, two black hides. Heat mat set to 90 degrees, CHE set to 87. Ambient temps read at about 82 on both sides of the tank. Humidity is between 55 and 60. Sides and back of tank are blacked out. We have two accurites on each side of the tanks, and we use regulators to make sure temps stay pretty stable.

[bcr229]

I wouldn't worry unless the top of her body is getting so hot that she could end up burned. Have you tried taking her surface temperature with the temp gun when she does this?

[Gennymariev]

I haven’t! If she does it again tonight, I’ll make sure to check it. Do you have any idea what an ideal body temp is?

[Luvyna]

I haven’t! If she does it again tonight, I’ll make sure to check it. Do you have any idea what an ideal body temp is?

The general consensus seems to be that the max temperature anywhere in the enclosure should be 90F. However I have also heard of some variation on this including from my vet who told me younger snakes sometimes like slightly warmer temperatures and some people provide a temp gradient between 76-93F although I have also heard people say 93-94F is way too warm. As long as the temps are correct and are being properly measured throughout the enclosure (which it sounds like they are) and she can't actually get burned like mentioned above I would agree that it's fine She's choosing to be up there so that must be where she's comfortable.