Odd setup for a python?

[kc261]

Welcome to bp.net, and the wonderful world of ball python ownership!

I would definitely lose the fluorescent bulb. It doesn't do anything for a BP, and as you said is just one more thing to worry about.

It would be good if you can lose the heat bulb also, because that will drain your humidity. If you can get enough heat from the heat mat without the heat mat getting too hot, that would be best. If not, then you should definitely get some sort of guard on the heat bulb so the snake can not burn himself. You can experiment a little bit as far as the ideal placement for it. A lot of people find the heat mat does just fine for a hot spot, but does not do enough to raise the ambient temperature of the entire enclosure, so they put the heat lamp in the middle or even towards the cool end.

Both the heat bulb and the heat mat should be controlled by thermostats. It may be possible to get reasonable control of your temps by using a rheostat (dimmer switch) instead, if you have pretty constant room temps. Rheostats require very close monitoring of the temps, as every change in the room temperature will affect how high or low the dimmer should be set. T-stats control themselves automatically. The t-stats or rheostats should be adjusted so that the hot spot is about 32 C and the ambient temp in the rest of the enclosure is about 27 C. I think quite a few people find that they can good control of the temps by using a t-stat for the heat mat, and a dimmer for the light, which aside from being a little less expensive than needing 2 t-stats, it eliminates the annoying on/off of the light that will result if you use an on/off type t-stat.

I'm not quite sure where to place the heat mat in those wooden cabinet type enclosures. I believe if you put it under the enclosure, not enough heat will travel through the wood. I think some of them are designed with the heat built in, and others are intended to be used with only heat lamps and/or radiant heat panels. I have also heard of people putting the heat mat on the underside of a piece of flooring tile, and putting the entire tile in the enclosure. I have no idea how well that works, because I've never seen it personally.

I do not believe you said how you are measuring the temps and humidity. Digital gauges are a must; the dial types are often inaccurate.

Once the temps are properly controlled, you'll have a better idea of where you are in terms of humidity. There are lots of things that can be done to increase the humidity, such as using a water bowl with a larger surface area. As a temporary measure, you can add a humid hide that the snake can go into any time he wishes some extra humidity.