heating questions

[PeterGunga]

I just received a second hand ball python. he is very healthy and active. I have him housed in a 30 gallon. I used that soft green astro-turf stuff as substrate and there are three items in the cage - on the left a big hide rock, a large rock water bowl in the middle and a large piece of driftwood on the right. I have an undertank heater on the right side of the tank underneath the wood. Intuitively, i wanted to put my 50W infrared heat bulb over the top of the wood so my python will rest out in the open where he is visible, which is also why i chose to put the hide rock on the other side (i figured the heat would lure him out). But, because he is new and nervous, he is spending all his time under the rock where it is less than 80. The other problem is that when I have the undertank heater and Bulb on the same spot, it gets to be like 105-110, which I think is too warm. What should I do? should I move the bulb over the hide rock? or maybe switch the rock and branch and put the bulb over the branch and the rock over the undertank heater... Here is a Diagram of my current setup...

(78 Degrees) (84 Degrees)
HEAT BULB (92 on top of wood)
HIDE ROCK WATER BOWL BASK WOOD (106 on ground)
UNDERTANK HEATER

[Elise.m]

Sounds like reading the ball python caresheet would work wonders for you. Putting a log out so the snake would be visible is only going to stress it out. Ball Pythons hide 95% of the time, and they're nocturnal so they only come out at night. I wouldn't suggest putting the UTH and Heat Lamp on the same side, and wouldn't even suggest using a heat lamp unless you have troubles keeping the high temp up. Heat lamps are for reptiles that baske (sp), and ball pythons don't do that.

It all depends on what you and your snake like though. If you guys like the heat lamp, so be it!

[knott00]

For now, put his hide on the warm side.
If possible. Turn the bulb completely off. BPs seldom bask in the light.
Only turn the light back on if your temps get too low and you need it to increase the temp of the tank. The most important thing right now will be keeping your at the right temp and having your warm side temp correct.

Next, get an identicle rock hide for the cool side of the tank, and put the driftwood somewhere in the middle of the tank to create some clutter and add to the security of your BP.

[Kaorte]

Ball pythons are not display snakes and they do not come out to bask. If you got one so that you could watch it slither around and hang out on a log, well I am sorry to be the bringer of bad news.

Sounds like your ball python isn't stressed, which is good. Hiding means that he is comfortable in his enclosure. You do need to get your temps sorted out. When using any heating device you NEED a thermostat or a temporary dimmer. As you have seen, these heating devices can get very hot. You also need to be measuring your temps correctly. A digital thermometer with a probe is what you need.

I don't know what temp your house is at but if it is under 75* you will probably still need the lamp. You need to create a hot and a cold side for your snake. The cold side should be between 80-85* and the hot side should be 93*. Use the UTH for the hot side and the lamp for the cool side.

Now you need two identical hides, one for the hot side and one for the cool side. Your snake needs to be able to thermo regulate without sacrificing security. They will usually (as you might notice) will normally sacrifice being at their desired temperature for being in a secure hide.

[PeterGunga]

Thank you all so much for your responses!!! They are very helpful. I'm going to keep the lamp, but move it to the other side of the tank because my apartment is lightly air conditioned. I will buy an identical hide rock today and put it where the log is over the UTH. I'm not sure what to do with the log now, though...the hide rocks are pretty big, as is the water bowl... I suppose I could just put it over one of the rocks... they are flat on top.

[Swingline0.0.1]

You will not need the log, you can just remove it, you don't want to put it on top of his hide, because if he does climb, he might fall off!

[Kaorte]

I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping the log. Just make sure wherever it is that it is sturdy and not going to tip over and impale your snake 0_0.

Ball pythons are not the most delicate creatures on the planet, if they fall 5 inches, they will be fine