Temps<>Up and Down

[travis11]

The temps in my BPs enclousure for the warm side surface was reading 98 degrees when i got home today. Not Ambient temp, just the surface temp under his hide. I do not have a thermastat rite now it failed. But he does not move to the cool side really that much. Is it possible that he is comfortable with this surface temp? Is this ok or must it be fixed right away?

[Inarikins]

Fix it. You don't want him getting burned, and 98 is enough to get him burned. If you need to order a whole new thermostat go to Lowe's or Home Depot or somewhere and buy a lamp dimmer. That should hold you over until you can get a new thermostat. Don't let your heat source run unchecked with a snake in there. It's dangerous.

[The Serpent Merchant]

No, BP's will burn themselves. just because he is staying there doesn't mean that it is safe. you need a new thermostat now. (what type were you using? and what type of heat source do you have?)

[travis11]

I have beenn putting it on a timer for right now to try and cool it down during the day, but it still gets that hot in a few hours. Could it be the Thermometer? It was fine and reading 88 a few days ago and since i cleaned the cage it has been way hotter

[travis11]

i was using this Zilla Thermostat and the UTH is the same.

[The Serpent Merchant]

ok that's your problem. that thermostat isn't worth the plastic it was made out of.

The UTH you're using can and will get up to 130 degrees. Far more than enough to kill your BP. For now you need to get a lamp dimmer like this to manually control the UTH until your new thermostat arrives.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5f%2d100145680

When you get a new thermostat don't even go to the pet store. None of the crap they sell there is worth your money. Here are 2 good thermostats:

1. the hydrofarm. Sold on Amazon for $30 these are the minimum that is considered safe. They aren't very accurate but will get the job done on a budget.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR..._bxgy_ol_img_b

2. The Herpstat. These are the best you can get, but cost more. (starting at $99) They are extremely accurate and have many built in safety features.

http://spyderrobotics.com/

[whispersinmyhead]

The Herpstat. These are the best you can get, but cost more. (starting at $99) They are extremely accurate and have many built in safety features.

http://spyderrobotics.com/

x2 I love my Herpstat 1! It keeps things perfect and considering your snake can last you 20-30 years it deserves a good T-stat. I wouldn't waste money on cheap T-stats because in my experience cheap crap makes you spend more $. There are exceptions but even when a good herpstat fails it fails off and won't hurt or kill your pet.

I was using a dimmer but even then you will be constantly adjusting as it doesn't take much change in the room to make a large impact on your cage. If you have a very even and controlled room temp then a dimmer may serve but I would not chance it.

A newbs 2 cents.

[AK907]

ok that's your problem. that thermostat isn't worth the plastic it was made out of.

The UTH you're using can and will get up to 130 degrees. Far more than enough to kill your BP. For now you need to get a lamp dimmer like this to manually control the UTH until your new thermostat arrives.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5f%2d100145680

When you get a new thermostat don't even go to the pet store. None of the crap they sell there is worth your money. Here are 2 good thermostats:

1. the hydrofarm. Sold on Amazon for $30 these are the minimum that is considered safe. They aren't very accurate but will get the job done on a budget.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR..._bxgy_ol_img_b

2. The Herpstat. These are the best you can get, but cost more. (starting at $99) They are extremely accurate and have many built in safety features.

http://spyderrobotics.com/

Another great post by The Serpent Merchant! I will second this advice!

[Jazi]

Sorry for the thread hijack, but something I've been wondering for a while... we run at 98.6 but I have yet to burn Quetzal with just my hands, so how is 98 able to burn a snake? o.O

[AK907]

Sorry for the thread hijack, but something I've been wondering for a while... we run at 98.6 but I have yet to burn Quetzal with just my hands, so how is 98 able to burn a snake? o.O

Your internal temperature is 98.6. Your skin is actually much cooler on average. 98 degrees over an extended period of time in unhealthy for a ball python. It might not burn them in the sense you're thinking of (blisters, etc) but it isn't good for them. Now, if your unregulated heat mat gets to 130 degrees, it most certainly can cause severe burns. I've seen reptiles with burns from them.