Ambient temp confusion

[Blepblep]

Hello,

I recently switched from using a UHT for my ball python to a CHE. When I did so, I worked on the belief that the ambient temp should be 75* at bare minimum, and about 84* right under the heat source, with 79 being a good general temp.

However, I've been doing more research since then, and all I've gotten is confused, what with there being so much contradictory advice about. So, if it's alright, I thought I should ask for some advice here? At the very least, Naga's being doing much better in this setup; he's more energetic than he's been in years, and he swaps between the hides every so often.

[Malum Argenteum]

Can I ask where this contradictory advice is found? One part of figuring these things out is just excluding bad sources of information (which are common).

Sounds like you've gotten things dialed in. If the snake is thermoregulating appropriately, that's a strong indication that the temps are suitable.

[Blepblep]

Can I ask where this contradictory advice is found? One part of figuring these things out is just excluding bad sources of information (which are common).

Sounds like you've gotten things dialed in. If the snake is thermoregulating appropriately, that's a strong indication that the temps are suitable.

Thank you! That's reassuring to know

As for the contradictory advice, I think I've been mainly getting it from Reddit, and it's sources. Reptifiles warns that the air temperature should never exceed 95*, which seems much hotter than many other recommended limits.

[Malum Argenteum]

I can't speak for Reddit (where, of course, anyone can post anything they want) as I don't hang out there. I am not alone in finding Reptifiles' claims to have a much more confident air than is warranted by the author's experience, and I'm not impressed by the 'scientific' veneer that is presented to distract from the fact that it is centrally an Amazon Affiliate site.

[Bogertophis]

I've never used Reddit but I've heard there's plenty of "baloney" being spread there. And for sure, stay below 90* air, & that's not in the whole enclosure, just part of it.

[Lord Sorril]

80F +/-2 ambient on entire enclosure
88F +/-2 UTH on 25% of floor space
Everything controlled by thermostats.
Works great for me.

[Blepblep]

Thank you, everyone: this has definitely put my mind at ease

I have mixed feelings about Reddit, because it was the first place that taught me that I could improve my husbandry, and Naga is definitely better off for it. But as Bogertophis says, there's so much baloney there! I feel like for every one thing I learn there, I have to unlearn another two.

And I'm genuinely annoyed that Reptifiles is an Amazon Affiliate site, because that seems to be either largely unknown or kept under the radar in a lot of conversations I've seen.

[Malum Argenteum]

And I'm genuinely annoyed that Reptifiles is an Amazon Affiliate site, because that seems to be either largely unknown or kept under the radar in a lot of conversations I've seen.

Well, the author isn't hiding it.

https://reptifiles.com/affiliate-disclosure/

My (darkly) favorite quote from that page:

"And it takes a lot of work and resources to maintain ReptiFiles. Here’s a short list to give you an idea of just how much: [...] Marketing — so. much. marketing." I don't think the author understands the distinction between (a) sharing info among keepers for the benefit of better husbandry and improvement of the hobby and (b) selling information (and associated hardware) as a product for profit.

[Blepblep]

Well, the author isn't hiding it.

I guess I should start researching sources a bit better then.

My (darkly) favorite quote from that page:

"And it takes a lot of work and resources to maintain ReptiFiles. Here’s a short list to give you an idea of just how much: [...] Marketing — so. much. marketing." I don't think the author understands the distinction between (a) sharing info among keepers for the benefit of better husbandry and improvement of the hobby and (b) selling information (and associated hardware) as a product for profit.

That is definitely disturbing, to say the least

[Bogertophis]

Another ReptiFiles excerpt:

"ReptiFiles is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to enable websites to earn advertising fees by linking to products listed on Amazon.com. Amazon offers us a small commission on products that we sell via affiliate links, this commission comes at no additional cost to you. Isn’t that awesome? If ReptiFiles links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in that link), and you place that item in your shopping cart through the same link within 24 hours of clicking, we get a small percentage of the sale. Affiliate links are not “pay per click.” But if you buy other products on Amazon during the same shopping session, we get a little commission on that sale, too. "