New BP owner with some tank questions.

[LLLReptile]

Hello, everyone. I got my first snake Sunday, a ball python. I had a question about the suggested temperature. I bought a bp guide and it says that it should be between 80-85 for hatchlings, and 85-90 for subadults and adults. I've seen higher temps on this site and a couple others and would really like a good, solid answer. I bought an electronic thermometer today and it's reading at 87.3 on the hot side of the tank. Too low? Too high? Also, my humidity level is about 55. Is that suitable? Thanks in advance for any answers.

In the hiding spot, I usually prefer a hot spot between 90 and 95, with the general air temps on the hot side to be about 90. So if the 87.3 is the air above the hiding spot, sounds good. If that's the temp inside the actual hiding spot, I'd try raising it if you can.

Humidity sounds like average household humidity, you may want to mist the cage or add a moist hide just in case. I wouldn't rely too exclusively on that gauge for telling you if humidity is "right" or not. Sometimes they're inaccurate, and the snake itself is a far better indicator of humidity. If it sheds in one piece, it doesn't matter if that gauge says 20%, you've got the humidity dialed in. If the snake sheds in multiple pieces, it goes the other way - could be the gauge says 80% but it's still shedding in pieces. Watch the snake, look at the cage conditions, and go from there. Much like the Code of the Brethren, set down by the pirates Morgan and Bartholomew, the humidity gauge isn't a rule, it's more like a guideline...
I'd focus instead on perhaps adding some moss or just misting the cage once a day or so, until you get an idea for what ideal conditions are like. Once the snake sheds, you'll be able to tweak your conditions for your exact situation.

-Jen