Why Do they like Cold so much??

[steveboos]

I have been working so hard to get the temperatures in my tubs consistent for my 2 new ball pythons. I have finally gotten the hot side to 86.5, but the cool side is only around 74.1. I have been messing around with the temps and when its like 81 on the hot side they lay on it, but when it gets too hot the move to the other side. Is it normal for ball pythons to like it so cool? I just got them from an expo so i know it was around 72 or something at the show, maybe they just need to get used to it? I guess the only one that can tell me if they like it is the snakes themselves right?

[Spaniard]

I'm not sure I got what you were exactly asking for but hopefully this will help.

Ball pythons thermoregulate. This is why we need to provide them a warm side and a cool side. You warm side should be between 90-94 degrees and your cool side should be between 80-84 degrees.

It is normal for a snake to go from the hot end to the cold end and vice versa.

Temperatures in the mid to low 70s can cause an increased risk of your snake developing a respiratory infection.

[steveboos]

Well im asking cause when i do raise the temperatures to that high they just seem uncomfortable and stay as far away from the heat element as possible. Even by going vertical up the tub.

I will raise temps if it will be ok for them, but i just want to do whatever is best for the snake ASAP.

[CoolioTiffany]

Well im asking cause when i do raise the temperatures to that high they just seem uncomfortable and stay as far away from the heat element as possible. Even by going vertical up the tub.

I will raise temps if it will be ok for them, but i just want to do whatever is best for the snake ASAP.

Well, what's best for the snake is appropriate temperatures. Vet bills can get very costly with a respiratory infection. What are you using to heat up the enclosure, are you using anything to control the heat source, and what kind of thermometer are you using?

[stratus_020202]

Mine really dont spend a lot of time on their hot side. It's just the way they thermoregulate. They are usually only over there if they are digesting. You will notice, with cooler temps it takes longer to digest.

Like Rich said, anything below 75 is dangerous. How are you heating your tubs? Are you using a thermostat?

[mdjudson]

How are you monitoring the temps?

[steveboos]

All great questions, I have 2 11x11" UltraTherm heat pads and only 40% of the tub is on the heating element. I have a Rheostat controlling the pads. I am using A digital thermometer in each cage, humidity is perfect in the tubs between 60 and 70% and they are very accurate and on the bottom of the tub for best temperature detection. Substrate is newspaper and the tubs are a 1.5 gallon rubbermaid and a 1 gallon tupperware container. Water bowl is on cool side. I will raise temps but will it stress them out alot more?

[CoolioTiffany]

All great questions, I have 2 11x11" UltraTherm heat pads and only 40% of the tub is on the heating element. I have a Rheostat controlling the pads. I am using A digital thermometer in each cage, humidity is perfect in the tubs between 60 and 70% and they are very accurate and on the bottom of the tub for best temperature detection. Substrate is newspaper and the tubs are a 1.5 gallon rubbermaid and a 1 gallon tupperware container. Water bowl is on cool side. I will raise temps but will it stress them out alot more?

Does the digital thermometer have a probe, and if so is the probe on the bottom of the enclosure on the tub, right above the UTH?

For humidity, you should aim a little lower, like between 50%-60%.

Raising the temps will NOT stress them out. It will keep them healthy

[Boanerges]

Proper temps will not stress them out but I suggest you pick up a temp gun to accurately measure your floor temps to make sure they are correct

[stratus_020202]

Does the digital thermometer have a probe, and if so is the probe on the bottom of the enclosure on the tub, right above the UTH?

For humidity, you should aim a little lower, like between 50%-60%.

Raising the temps will NOT stress them out. It will keep them healthy

X2 for me 2 11X11 and only covering 40%? Sounds like a pretty big tub. How big is your ball python? It sounds like one of the tall tubs, but I could be wrong. It would be easier to keep it warm in there if you use the short, long tubs. Like the ones that fit under a bed frame.