Basking vs Belly heat

[LadyByrd]

I am sorry that I post stuff that you guys have probably seen a million times. New "mom" just wanting to make sure I am doing everything I can for my babies! So, I have been reading in different places that, for bps, belly heat is more important than a basking spot. Is that true? I mean, don't get me wrong, I have a spot set up for them to bask, but they never seem to do it (granted, I don't watch the tank 24/7 either). The UTH is under one of the hides in the tank and that is where Matilda spends most of her time. So, I am just curious as to if bps bask that much if their temps and humidity are kept the way they should be?

[satomi325]

Ball pythons don't normally bask because they are nocturnal. They don't use the sun like how a lizard would. They get warmth from residual ground heat and ambient heat.

But in captivity, as long as your temperature gradient is within standard, its fine to use a heat lamp. However, heat lamps usually make maintaining humidity a pain as it dries out the air.

Its just whatever works for you and your snake. Most people do use belly heat only. But sometimes supplemental heat from a lamp is needed to reach ideal temps.

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[Pennstater6]

I use both in the winter. Belly and basking because the house is cooler. In the summer I only use a UTH on a thermostat. My spider is the only one in a tank now but he uses both sides (hot and cool).

[LadyByrd]

Thanks! It is a bit cool in my house right now because North Texas has been in a freezer for a few weeks. When summer rolls around, I will just use the UTH because, you are right, maintaining humidity with the lamps is a pain.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Belly heat is more efficient then a overhead lamp but not more important or better (just keep in mind that heat travels up )

It's all about reaching proper temps sometimes it can even be done without either

[kylearmbar]

Ball pythons don't normally bask because they are nocturnal. They don't use the sun like how a lizard would. They get warmth from residual ground heat and ambient heat.

But in captivity, as long as your temperature gradient is within standard, its fine to use a heat lamp. However, heat lamps usually make maintaining humidity a pain as it dries out the air.

Its just whatever works for you and your snake. Most people do use belly heat only. But sometimes supplemental heat from a lamp is needed to reach ideal temps.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

X2 but I honestly would get rid of the basking spot because its not needed and makes it harder to keep humidity up

[Expensive hobby]

Not ideal for everyone, but I don't use belly, back or basking. I use everywhere heat!





I like my Dubstep to go Wop Wop Wop Wop

[Mephibosheth1]

I am sorry that I post stuff that you guys have probably seen a million times. New "mom" just wanting to make sure I am doing everything I can for my babies!

I don't have a problem answering "repeat" questions, as everyone's situation is a little different. Also, there's only so much you can figure out from someone else's thread they posted many years ago lol


To your question, I use a Heat Lamp to maintain ambient temps (which are really cold in our house) and a UTH to heat the hot spot.