Ball python heating help

[Malum Argenteum]

I eventually wanted to add another real plant

This is not intended to sound at all snarky, but: why?

I was thinking of adding to 2” vents near the bottom cool side on the left wall instead of the back. And adding 2 of the same 2” vents on the other side on the side wall higher up near the heat lamps. Would this be too much air flow ? Or should I just add the one 2” vents hole on the cool side and see how it goes. Another option I was thinking is adding one of those computer fans on the outside of the vent on the back and have it suck out hot air. Not sure if that would work.

I don't have any standard recommendations for amount of vents, though I would be very, very hesitant to use a fan for ventilation. The advantage of passive ventilation (which operates on the basic physics of warm and moist air rising) is that it is self-regulating: when more is needed, more air flows; as the enclosure cools and dries out, less air flows. Fans can and do overventilate, unless there's a complex controller that takes into account both RH and temp, and even then hardware functionality isn't entirely reliable (especially RH meters).

I agree that troubleshooting other factors before cutting holes is best. My own practice if a little more venting is needed is to leave one of the sliding doors open a crack (keep in mind that the door needs to be secured against escapes; I use showcase locks on my sliding door snake enclosures).

[Wowdude11]

This is not intended to sound at all snarky, but: why?

Honestly i just thought some plants would give the snake more of a feel of hiding. but he just runs them over.


I don't have any standard recommendations for amount of vents, though I would be very, very hesitant to use a fan for ventilation. The advantage of passive ventilation (which operates on the basic physics of warm and moist air rising) is that it is self-regulating: when more is needed, more air flows; as the enclosure cools and dries out, less air flows. Fans can and do overventilate, unless there's a complex controller that takes into account both RH and temp, and even then hardware functionality isn't entirely reliable (especially RH meters).

[Quote}I agree that troubleshooting other factors before cutting holes is best. My own practice if a little more venting is needed is to leave one of the sliding doors open a crack (keep in mind that the door needs to be secured against escapes; I use showcase locks on my sliding door snake enclosures).

i never thought about that. im going to open the glass a little. also i turned off the halogen light and only have the DHP, and plant light on and uvb. ill see how it turns out

[Malum Argenteum]

If what you're looking to provide is hides/cover, then there are lots of options that don't require light and don't die and won't get squished. I'm a big fan of cork bark -- both flats and rounds.

[Bogertophis]

I agree. Plants don't mix well with most snakes- especially heavy-bodied snakes like BPs. You end up with conflicting care needs- snake versus plants, & your focus should always be on the snake.
Take lighting, for example: BPs (& most snakes) don't like bright light, but many plants do. And snakes are great plant-squashers. There's just better alternatives to furnishing your snake's home than live plants- & they'll be more cost-effective too.

[Wowdude11]

A little update i turned off the halogen bulb. im only running the DHP on a thermostat.

I also moved her hot hide so its directly under the DHP. Here are the results

Surface temp of basking spot 90 (with infrared gun)
hotside air temp 84 (just outside the hide with govee and temp prob)
Coolside temp right outside his hide 82 with govee and temp prob

i also turned off the the light for the plants and no change in temp. any other suggestions?

Im debating making those vent holes but i really dont want make holes if i dont have too

[Homebody]

A little update i turned off the halogen bulb. im only running the DHP on a thermostat.

I also moved her hot hide so its directly under the DHP. Here are the results

Surface temp of basking spot 90 (with infrared gun)
hotside air temp 84 (just outside the hide with govee and temp prob)
Coolside temp right outside his hide 82 with govee and temp prob

i also turned off the the light for the plants and no change in temp. any other suggestions?

Im debating making those vent holes but i really dont want make holes if i dont have too

Give it time. A day. Even a week. If the temps don't are still too high, put the spacer between the enclosures that Malum suggested and see what that does.

[Malum Argenteum]

Question: both in the past and as you make changes, where is the snake hanging out, and when it is hanging out where? I ask because while measuring temps is interesting and necessary, the snake will tell the keeper what it prefers. If it is always on the cool side, things might be a little too warm; if the snake is always on the warm side, it might not be the case that the cool side is too warm.

If a snake is always burrowing under the substrate, one thing that could mean is that it is seeking out whatever temp is down there (it could also mean it is seeking moisture, or a good hiding spot). If it is always pressed against a wall, maybe the temp of the wall has something to do with the behavior. And so on.

[Wowdude11]

Question: both in the past and as you make changes, where is the snake hanging out, and when it is hanging out where? I ask because while measuring temps is interesting and necessary, the snake will tell the keeper what it prefers. If it is always on the cool side, things might be a little too warm; if the snake is always on the warm side, it might not be the case that the cool side is too warm.

If a snake is always burrowing under the substrate, one thing that could mean is that it is seeking out whatever temp is down there (it could also mean it is seeking moisture, or a good hiding spot). If it is always pressed against a wall, maybe the temp of the wall has something to do with the behavior. And so on.

During the day he is always on the back left in his hide on the cool side. once the lights go off i see him go to the warm side right under the DHP for a little then crawls around his hide

[Malum Argenteum]

During the day he is always on the back left in his hide on the cool side. once the lights go off i see him go to the warm side right under the DHP for a little then crawls around his hide

That could imply (a) that the overall temps are affected by the visible lighting, or (b) that the snake is avoiding the UVB (which is on the DHP side, yes?). Unless you have a good baseline on how the snake behaves without the UVB, it might be good to see how he behaves with it off for a few weeks (it would be good to use a meter to figure out where the irradiation zone is; this helps with figuring out how the snake is behaving in relation to it). Be careful not to adjust more than one thing at a time, otherwise you can't tell which variable is the cause.

[Wowdude11]

That could imply (a) that the overall temps are affected by the visible lighting, or (b) that the snake is avoiding the UVB (which is on the DHP side, yes?). Unless you have a good baseline on how the snake behaves without the UVB, it might be good to see how he behaves with it off for a few weeks (it would be good to use a meter to figure out where the irradiation zone is; this helps with figuring out how the snake is behaving in relation to it). Be careful not to adjust more than one thing at a time, otherwise you can't tell which variable is the cause.

I think I’ll try two thing. One add a led light that’s adjustable in brightness so it’s no so bright but still has some day/ night cycle light.

second I’ll turn off the uvb( I thought uvb was good for them ? Is this wrong in thinking ?)

I’ll keep hearing the same for now.

last thing should I expect him to be active or out during the day ? I don’t think I have ever seen him active during the day.