UV light

[Alok Khanna]

I bought a new heat lamp bulb the other day and when I got home realized it was a "daylight" bulb that provides UV light. I know that BP's don't NEED UV light...but are there any harm from UV lights?

[Mike Schultz]

Nope, won't bother the snake.

I'd worry about the heat lamp sucking the humidity out of the enclosure, though.

[Kaorte]

It won't harm the snake, but you can't leave it on 24/7 or else the snake won't have a night cycle.

Personally, I would just go with UTH heat if you can. Lamps suck humidity and burn out all the time. Just more trouble than it is worth.

[Alok Khanna]

We've moved to MN (from TX) and I'm having trouble keeping the temps up especially with just UTH now that winter is approaching. Tank temps are approaching the mid-upper 60's at night (no light but with UTH) and up to 80ish under light (also with UTH). This is using a side of tank temp strip which I realize is not all that accurate but I can't afford a gun atm. I've encountered the dryness issue but not sure what I can do other than mist every morning.

[Mike Schultz]

Those temp strips are basically useless. If you are going to use a heat lamp then try to cover up the rest of the screen lid with plastic or something to hold in heat and humidity.

[WingedWolfPsion]

You have a pretty serious temperature problem--you need to record the temperature where the snake is touching the cage floor, over the UTH, as this should never exceed about 93F at the hottest spot...but the AIR in the tank also needs to be at least 80F at all times. UTHs should always be controlled by a thermostat--it will tell you so on the package as well.

I would recommend either insulating 2 sides of the tank, mostly covering the top, and investing in a radiant heat panel (Big apple herp sells some) for the warm side, or getting a space heater for the room. If temps in the tank are 60, then temps in your HOUSE must be as well. These devices are designed to operate optimally at NORMAL room temperatures--no less than 70F. You need to either raise the temperature of the air around the cage, or insulate the cage very well and heat the air within it.

You also need to keep your humidity at no less than 60% inside the cage, or risk respiratory infections and bad sheds.