Well Ive never used a hide in my lifetime for a Burmese Python but sometimes change and new information can be good. Most know Im old school so I need a little input on this subject from those that have used Hides/Basking Shelves & RHP’s.
Jock is 5.5 months old now and since I got him I’ve used 2 hides in his 4’ enclosure. When I first got him I kept it simple for heating, the enclosure has Heat Tape from the manufacturer. That did not work out well as the probe doesn’t have a etched out area to place it under the enclosure and I have the Base with it. I took the Heat Tape out (didn’t like it anyways) and moved the RHP to the Hot side like my other enclosures. Cranked her up to 89 at 80% power and got my temps dialed in. Now here is whats driving me nuts. The cool side is 81-82, the Hot side 88.7-90... but the TOP of the Hot Hide is 94 because its so close to the RHP. Ive played around for weeks changing the Power % on my herpstat and thats the best (lowest) I can get the temp on the Hide roof. Like most of you I’m obsessive about husbandry and even though the temps steady and not fluctuating and at the correct range on the enclosure floor this high temp even though its only a few degrees has me up checking it with a Laser at night. (Yup I’m a bit nuts) lol.
Anyways Hot side ambient is 88-90 like i said, Hot Side floor is 87.5-88 and the TOP of the hot hide is 94. Now what bothers me is I keep thinking the 94 can radiate off the Hide into the Snake when he is in there. So Ive checked him with the laser and that is not happening as the hides are Jumbo and he is no where near the roof of the hide, id say 4” clearance. So he is in-fact keeping good body temps.
So has anyone else dealt with this who has Retics with Basking shelves and what are the temps on those shelves or has anyone had Hides that have the tops get hotter as they’re closer to the RHP.... or lastly, does anyone just want to slap to heck out of me and tell me Im obsessing to much hahahahaha.
This will all come to rest in June/July when his Big enclosure comes as the hight is like my other AP’s at 24”H not like his temporary enclosure at 17.5”H.
Thank you and here is a Pic showing how much clearance his Back has to the top of the Hide.
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