Quick Noob Question

[lX V1P3R Xl]

Hello, I have a quick question. For the warm hide, I know the temp needs to be 88-92. However, is that the temp inside or outside the hide? I have my thermometer right outside the hide on top of the substrate and I usually can get it to the 88-92 no problem. The temp probe is in the direct "beaming" of the infrared lamp I have on top of the cage. Today the temp read 90 degrees and I decided to take my BP out for a bit. She felt really cold when I had her in my hands and stayed curled up in a ball for about 5 minutes. I checked the temp on the inside of the hide and it was 82 degrees! So is this an ok temp for the inside of the hide, or is the 88-92 supposed to be the INSIDE hide temp instead of the warm side under the infrared lamp?

Thanks in advance for any advice/help!

[Skittles1101]

The hottest point in the enclosure needs to be 88-92, not on top of the substrate. That would be on top of the glass (assuming it's a tank) under the substrate...

[Kaorte]

Sounds like you aren't using a UTH, which is what most people here suggest. Since balls hide 99% of the time, over head heat doesn't work as well as belly heat. Heat lamps are fine for raising the ambient temp, but in my opinion shouldn't be used for a hot spot.

I would get yourself a UTH and a thermostat for your hot side and use the lamp to heat the enclosure (overall) to the low 80's.

[lX V1P3R Xl]

Sounds like you aren't using a UTH, which is what most people here suggest. Since balls hide 99% of the time, over head heat doesn't work as well as belly heat. Heat lamps are fine for raising the ambient temp, but in my opinion shouldn't be used for a hot spot.

I would get yourself a UTH and a thermostat for your hot side and use the lamp to heat the enclosure (overall) to the low 80's.

I actually have a UTH and thermostat, but I don't have it turned on. It was getting too hot when I was using it with the lamp and too cold with out the lamp. The lamp alone was getting the surface temp to 88-92, but not inside the hide (like I said it was 82 when I checked). If I were able to figure out the UTH temp, does the inside of the hide need to reach 88-92 then, or just the ambient temp?

By the way, where should I put the probe for the thermostat? On the bottom of the tank under the substrate, or on top of the substrate? Also, if I have the UTH on, do I need something to cover the bottom glass in addition to the substrate in case she burrows?

[apple2]

Always on the glass. And why not just change the thermostat setting to get the temp right?

[Kaorte]

I actually have a UTH and thermostat, but I don't have it turned on. It was getting too hot when I was using it with the lamp and too cold with out the lamp. The lamp alone was getting the surface temp to 88-92, but not inside the hide (like I said it was 82 when I checked). If I were able to figure out the UTH temp, does the inside of the hide need to reach 88-92 then, or just the ambient temp?

By the way, where should I put the probe for the thermostat? On the bottom of the tank under the substrate, or on top of the substrate? Also, if I have the UTH on, do I need something to cover the bottom glass in addition to the substrate in case she burrows?

Ideally you want the belly hot spot to be around 90* and the ambient temps to be in the low 80's. high 70's. The air doesn't need to be 90* as long as there is a belly hot spot of 90*

I recommend setting it up this way. Keep your thermoSTAT probe outside the enclosure so the snake can't move it and give the thermostat a false reading. Taping it to the outside of the UTH works. Now put a thermometer probe underneath the substrate right on the glass where the UTH is. This will tell you the hottest point the snake can reach. Make sure you use a thin layer of substrate so the heat actually gets to the snake. Set your UTH until your thermometer reads about 90*. You might have to make a few small adjustments before it gets perfect.

What are your ambient temperatures without the lamp? If they are around 75* and above you don't need the lamp at all, if they are lower then that then you might want to either get a lower wattage bulb or a dimmer for the light so it doesn't stay on full blast 24/7.

It's tricky to find that happy medium, but I believe it is possible with what you have.

[lX V1P3R Xl]

Ideally you want the belly hot spot to be around 90* and the ambient temps to be in the low 80's. high 70's. The air doesn't need to be 90* as long as there is a belly hot spot of 90*

I recommend setting it up this way. Keep your thermoSTAT probe outside the enclosure so the snake can't move it and give the thermostat a false reading. Taping it to the outside of the UTH works. Now put a thermometer probe underneath the substrate right on the glass where the UTH is. This will tell you the hottest point the snake can reach. Make sure you use a thin layer of substrate so the heat actually gets to the snake. Set your UTH until your thermometer reads about 90*. You might have to make a few small adjustments before it gets perfect.

What are your ambient temperatures without the lamp? If they are around 75* and above you don't need the lamp at all, if they are lower then that then you might want to either get a lower wattage bulb or a dimmer for the light so it doesn't stay on full blast 24/7.

It's tricky to find that happy medium, but I believe it is possible with what you have.

Sounds good! I'll try that. Right now the temps in my room range from mid 70's to low 80's (since its summer). I don't know what it will be like during the winter, but I can figure that out when the time comes. I'll try it out this weekend because I work Mon-Fri every week and would rather be around to keep an eye on the temps. Thanks for the help!

[lX V1P3R Xl]

Ideally you want the belly hot spot to be around 90* and the ambient temps to be in the low 80's. high 70's. The air doesn't need to be 90* as long as there is a belly hot spot of 90*

What are your ambient temperatures without the lamp? If they are around 75* and above you don't need the lamp at all, if they are lower then that then you might want to either get a lower wattage bulb or a dimmer for the light so it doesn't stay on full blast 24/7.

It's tricky to find that happy medium, but I believe it is possible with what you have.

One quick follow up question. First off, I have everything set up as you suggested. Also, I have set my thermostat for my heating pad to 96-98 and when I do that, my thermometer on the warm hide's floor reads about 90-94 and the ambient temp usually ranges between 75-80. The thing that concerns me is that when I pick her up, she still feels cold, and I rarely see her in her cold hide. Do they normally feel cool when you handle them, or should they feel more warm?

[Kaorte]

One quick follow up question. First off, I have everything set up as you suggested. Also, I have set my thermostat for my heating pad to 96-98 and when I do that, my thermometer on the warm hide's floor reads about 90-94 and the ambient temp usually ranges between 75-80. The thing that concerns me is that when I pick her up, she still feels cold, and I rarely see her in her cold hide. Do they normally feel cool when you handle them, or should they feel more warm?

That would all depend on how warm or cold your hands are! When my hands are warm, my snakes feel like room temperature. When they are cold, the snakes feel much warmer.

How much substrate do you have? You could use a thinner layer and set your thermostat a little lower.

They are cold blooded, so its pretty normal for them to feel cool.

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[PorcelainxDoll]

Also our body temps are much higher then theres so they will feel colder.

Just with like a cat or dog there body temps are hotter then ours so they feel warm.

Make any sence?

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