Housing and Heating Question for Ball Python

[P5YCHO1192]

Hello! I'm new to the forum! I have a question about a Plastic Tub enclosure for a Ball Python i'm getting in a month or so it's related to heating.
Is it OK to use a UTH with a plastic tub?(I read in a forum that to stop it melting you could wrap the UTH in a towel) but i'm unsure if enough heat will get to the tub this way?
I'm kinda in a dilemna with this because i've been reading that you need to buy thermostats/rheostats aswell and i have never owned a snake/reptile before.
Basically if you guys can help me out with what i need to buy to heat the plastic tub for my snake?

[Qetu]

buy the uth. and a thermostat. with the thermostat dialed down to 90-92 degrees there will be no issues with it melting. the reason why there is a warning on the uth is because when it is not regulated by a thermostat it can reach 120 degrees. i also do not suggest sticking the uth to the tub. instead wrapping it in foil and placeing it underneath. i stuck mine to it and now realized i cant remove it for cleaning etc...
goodluck. feel free to ask as many questions as you need!
WELCOME!

[Kaorte]

Doesn't matter what surface the UTH is on, it needs to be used with a thermostat. A UTH left unregulated can easily burn a BP.

So get a thermostat and a UTH. A good and cheap thermostat is the reptitemp 500r. You might only be able to find this one online though. I haven't seen it in stores.

[P5YCHO1192]

Thanks guys i just got the stuff today ,aspen,heat mat,leaves for cover,2x hides and a waterdish also a thermometer but can you clear something up for me though ? The guy in the petstore says i dont need a thermostat and i also dont need a hygrometer...to give you an idea>>>> the heat mat is an ultratherm 6x11 which is fine for the time being (in size i mean).
Also i wont be getting the snake for a few weeks as the only two babies in there are being force-fed so if they dont eat by themselves im going to order in another one and make sure he/she eats before i get it.I have a big waterdish so humidity should be no problem and i'll mist everyday i can upload pics soon if you like ...

[cinderbird]

Thanks guys i just got the stuff today ,aspen,heat mat,leaves for cover,2x hides and a waterdish also a thermometer but can you clear something up for me though ? The guy in the petstore says i dont need a thermostat and i also dont need a hygrometer...to give you an idea>>>> the heat mat is an ultratherm 6x11 which is fine for the time being (in size i mean).
Also i wont be getting the snake for a few weeks as the only two babies in there are being force-fed so if they dont eat by themselves im going to order in another one and make sure he/she eats before i get it.I have a big waterdish so humidity should be no problem and i'll mist everyday i can upload pics soon if you like ...

"The guy in the petstore says " that would be where you stop listening lol.

if you're using a plastic enclosure especially a thermostat is an absolute necessity.

Its always best to start off with a healthy baby. You can get a captive bred baby from a breeder for way less than what you'll pay at the petstore. I cant see your user info from the reply window here, but if there are any shows near you you can find normals ranging from 10-25 dollars, plus the breeder or broker is there to actually give you some info on them.

even if you'd get a baby shipped to you, it will be about the same cost as one from petsmartco.

hope this helps

[Kaorte]

Thanks guys i just got the stuff today ,aspen,heat mat,leaves for cover,2x hides and a waterdish also a thermometer but can you clear something up for me though ? The guy in the petstore says i dont need a thermostat and i also dont need a hygrometer...to give you an idea>>>> the heat mat is an ultratherm 6x11 which is fine for the time being (in size i mean).
Also i wont be getting the snake for a few weeks as the only two babies in there are being force-fed so if they dont eat by themselves im going to order in another one and make sure he/she eats before i get it.I have a big waterdish so humidity should be no problem and i'll mist everyday i can upload pics soon if you like ...

The guy at the petstore is WRONG. :/ And sadly, that is usually the case.

You do need a thermostat and you do need a hygrometer.

I would recommend not getting the snake from the petstore because as you said, they are force feeding them which you should never need to do with a healthy BP. I would search for a good breeder around you or see if there is a local reptile show you can go to. You will find that buying directly from the breeder you are going to get a healthy baby who costs half as much as those petstore snakes. Most people sell their normal BPs for around $25.

[nixer]

im guessing that the thermometer they sold you is either a zoomed or zilla and probally analogor one of those stick on the tank ones......
extremely inaccurate!

you definately need a thermostat and a quality digital themometer/hydrometer.

ball pythons should never be force fed only if they are in extreme danger of dying. i would surely caution you about buying a 9$ unstarted captive hatched and/or imported babies for 79$ or more from any petstore.

most breeders either give away normal males or charge a small fee for them. sometimes up to 50$(depending on shipping or pickup) sometimes females will be slighty higher than what they are charging for a male.

[P5YCHO1192]

Thanks i doubt theres many where i live (breeders) as i'm irish but i'll have a look i'm not going to buy a force fed snake so i'll look for a breeder and get a ball from there the thermometer i got is digital with a probe and i'll get a hygromete and another thermometer for the other side of the tank
Thanks for all your help

[Kaorte]

Actually, I am pretty sure there are some breeders in Ireland and Scotland. I am not really sure myself but I know we have some members from there!

[Vypyrz]

Thanks guys i just got the stuff today ,aspen,heat mat,leaves for cover,2x hides and a waterdish also a thermometer but can you clear something up for me though ? The guy in the petstore says i dont need a thermostat and i also dont need a hygrometer...to give you an idea>>>> the heat mat is an ultratherm 6x11 which is fine for the time being (in size i mean).
Also i wont be getting the snake for a few weeks as the only two babies in there are being force-fed so if they dont eat by themselves im going to order in another one and make sure he/she eats before i get it.I have a big waterdish so humidity should be no problem and i'll mist everyday i can upload pics soon if you like ...

Good job on doing your research and getting everything set-up first You are definitely starting off in the right direction...


Rob