Help me figure out a heating problem with my BP..

[mark896]

I've got about a 5 year old male ball python, approximately 4 ft. long. He's in a 40 gallon long terrarium with a screen top. His hide box is on the heated side of the terrarium, and his water dish is on the other side.

Initially, I've used a 100W ceramic light bulb for heating. I have a digital thermometer/hygrometer that displayed around 83 inside his box during the day, and about 80 at night. He hardly EVER comes out, if he does, it's at night, which I understand to be normal. I never see him. When I handle him he feels semi-warm to the touch, but who knows.

I've been reading about temperatures, and find that most people are using 92-94 for a basking spot (never seen a ball python "bask"?).. Since I NEVER see my snake, I figured I'm keeping his area too cold. So I purchased a 150W ceramic bulb today, and it got up to 90 in his hide box. I walked in the room tonight, turned on the light, and about 18 inches of him was outside of the house towards the cool side of the terrarium. Is 90 too hot inside his hide box?

My questions are, since he never leaves his hide box, what temperature should I keep it at? Where in the terrarium should his hide box be? Currently, it sits underneath the heat lamp.

I can provide pics or whatever of my setup, just please help me understand how I should keep it and be specific. Thanks in advance.

Mark

[55Ballin]

Are you measuring the ambient air temperatures or are these readings the temperatures of the substrate. The "basking" temp is how warm the substrate should be in the warm spot. I keep a hide right over the basking spot which is 92-92 degrees. Very rarely will you see a snake bask in the light or heat from above because they like to hide. Make sure your thermometer is digital and has a probe which you can place directly on the substrate.

[mark896]

I have both temp and hygro probes lying right on top of the substrate inside the hide box. He could be lying directly on top of them, I can't see inside of there. It's a digital temp/hygrometer and it says 91.5 F and 77% humidity.

[55Ballin]

Then it should be fine. As long as its in the 90-94 range (92-93 optimally) on the substrate, you are good to go. He'll move around, just usually during the night while you can't see him.

[mark896]

Dude, are you sure? The 90's seems super warm, considering he NEVER leaves that box.. And now he's starting to peak his head out; it makes me think he's cooking in there..

[anatess]

Dude, are you sure? The 90's seems super warm, considering he NEVER leaves that box.. And now he's starting to peak his head out; it makes me think he's cooking in there..

Put 2 hides - one in the cool side (between 80-85), one in the warm side (between 90-95). If you look at the weather.com in Ghana where bp's are native to, 90's is pretty normal. With the 2 hides on different temperatures, the snake can choose where he wants to go at any time of the day/night.

[snakesRkewl]

They bask all right, on top of their hot spot not from overhead heat sources.

Instead of getting another overhead fixture maybe a UTH and a thermostat so he has a proper hot spot to lay on?

[mark896]

Hmm, not even sure if I have room for another hide box that he could fit in plus a big water dish... I was afraid someone would say that. He's full grown, but I can't imagine this tank not being big enough..

I don't see a reason to buy a UTH, as his basking spot in his hide box during the day is around 91. If everyone is saying that's a good temperature, I guess that's what I needed to know. It seems I will be seeing more of him now, on account of him being more active (higher temps) than before.

[Delco Baller]

Here is a link to the care sheet as to what Bp's needs are, It has helped alot of us here. It is good reading, also if you can get your hands on a book called "The Complete Ball Python" By Kevin McCurley.....Grab it!!!
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

Good Luck with your problem,

[snakesRkewl]

I don't see a reason to buy a UTH, as his basking spot in his hide box during the day is around 91.

They lay on the heat to help digest their food, ambient heat is great, but it doesn't replace belly heat.