Help newb owner heat pad problems.

[Yggdrasil]

I am a first time owner of a baby ball python.
Here so my setup.
20 gallon zill critter cage
Zilla heat pad under tank
75 watt heat lamp
Half hallowed out log hide
Large grapevine climbing branch
Water bowl

My problem is that I noticed my snake was out of his hide all day for the last two days.
I thought something must be up. I used my cooking thermometer to check out the temp in the hide and it was 115.
The temp above the hide is 93 , the lamp is right aabove the hide and the tempinside does not drop much with the light ooff.
The temp inside the middle of the ttank is 85.

I have the hide right on top of the heat pad.
I need to know:
Do most people put the hide on top of the pad
Do most people use heat lamp and heat pad at the same time
Do I need a thermostat for the heat pad
I have had the snake for 4 days now and I want him to be happy, I hope he is not too stressed out. Thanks.

[tlich]

Hide over heat pad is fine but you need a thermostat for the heat pad so just unplug it for now, you also need 2 identical hides one for hot side one for cool that are more enclosed a half log is way too open and your snake won't feel secure.

Hydrofarm thermostat is $30 on amazon
It should be replaced with a better one like a herpstat

Get a digital thermometer from Walmart called an accurite, its $12 and measures 2 temps.

[Yggdrasil]

Thanks for the info.
Just to clarify, I do have a thermometer above the hide on the glass halfway up and a thermometer in the center halfway up on the glass.
Are you saying i should have a thermometer in the hides too?
I felt this hide wwas too wide open. Thanks.

Hide over heat pad is fine but you need a thermostat for the heat pad so just unplug it for now, you also need 2 identical hides one for hot side one for cool that are more enclosed a half log is way too open and your snake won't feel secure.

Hydrofarm thermostat is $30 on amazon
It should be replaced with a better one like a herpstat

Get a digital thermometer from Walmart called an accurite, its $12 and measures 2 temps.

[tlich]

You need digital thermometer, the stick on ones are junk and not accurate, a digital one has a probe and you can stick it right in the hide to measure substrate temps. Temp guns are nice to measure substrate temps too.

Your hides should be enclosed with an opening obviously, but your snake should fit in it and be snug so it will feel secure.

So just make sure you unplug that heat pad until you get a thermostat, your heat lamp should keep temps suitable until you can get a thermostat. Ideal temps are 88-92 hot side, 78-82 cool side and air temps shouldn't drop below 75

[The Serpent Merchant]

A thermostat is NOT a thermometer. A thermostat controls the hearing pad based on a temperature sensor.

You also need better thermoneters. You need one that has a probe

This thermometer is good, costs $12 at Walmart and measures 2 temperatures (hit side and cool side) as well as humidity



Here are some good thermostats. (don't bother with the crap sold in pet stores, it isn't worth your money.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZZG3S

You must have a thermostat to regulate a heat pad, otherwise they can and will get hot enough to kill your snake.

You should unplug the heat pad until you have a thermostat.

[RestlessRobie]

Also Half log hides are not the best Balls like nice tight hides If you are in a pinch for cash you can easily use flower pots, dog food bowels, or just about anything. Also 2 identical hides is recomended one hot side one cold side. If you are using an aquarium I would black out 3 sides with paper or an aquarium background so it lookins simething like this all set up



Also check out the care sheet lots of great info there

[Yggdrasil]

The help is greatly appreciated ill run out and get this little dude hooked up today.
Ill check back in with th pics later.

[MrLang]

So just make sure you unplug that heat pad until you get a thermostat, your heat lamp should keep temps suitable until you can get a thermostat. Ideal temps are 88-92 hot side, 78-82 cool side and air temps shouldn't drop below 75

x2
Your snake can turn its brain to mush if it sits on that 115 spot for more than a short time, while it could survive for days at anything 75-90

[Yggdrasil]

I have turned the heating pad off, and my question is...
Do I now leave the heat lamp on all night or do I let the temp drop at night.
I think I checked it and it was down at 70 at night.
Thanks.

I hope I didn't fry my snakes brain, again today he is not in his hide.
I will pick up some flower pots after work and install them when I get home.
He is in a corner of the tank, between the log and the glass.
he is active at night after I turn the lights out.
Not very much activity throughout the day, just stuffed in his corner.
Ill have to wait for next pay day for the thermostat for his pad. it maybe another week or so.

[tlich]

Leave the heat lamp on 24/7 you don't want his enclosure to get below 75, just as long as its an infrared bulb or ceramic heat emitter these won't bother him at night.