BP Temperature Related Question.

[Cornishninja]

Hi there, this isn't a seriously panicked question or anything like that, it's simply something that I have noticed over the last few days, that I ought to get some opinions on, since I'm kind of new to ball python ownership.

I've got a young ball python that I bought from a respected breeder about a month ago now, he/she (not gendered yet) is about five months old, a nice, healthy size, eating well every 7-10 days, friendly, clean, sheds normally... about as normal and healthy as I can really determine he-she possibly could be at this point. (And gorgeous too! <3)

I keep him/her in the recommended size tank, which is heated by an under-tank heat pad (temperature regulated of course) that covers the base of about two thirds of the tank... the ball has good places to shelter both on and off the pad, and up until a week ago, seemed to be regulating his/her temperature well by moving from one side of the tank to the other. However, for the last few days, he/she has been favouring the cold side of the tank, lying there against the side wall and getting quite cold to the touch! Keep in mind I'm in England, so temperatures here are quite low at the moment, even inside the house... the tank's air temperature is quite reasonable, but, I suppose being a new snake owner, I'm just nervous about why this might be! The snake is still lively and seems bright and alert as normal, but... I just want more experienced opinions that everything is okay here. I trust the snake to know where to lie and all that, but still... I'm sure you all understand what I'm talking about. New owner jitters and all that.

Thanks in advance for all and any advice!

[BHReptiles]

what are your temperatures specifically? I know you said your temperature is controlled, but is it controlled by a thermostat? Also, I think 2/3 covered by the heat pad might be a little bit too much. I was always told 1/3-1/2 at most to create a good temp gradient. Your BP is probably either too warm or just wants to hang out in it's cool hide. I have a one who likes her cool side too. She'll move to the warm when she needs to, but lately has been quite fond of her cool hide.

[snakesRkewl]

I don't see any specific temperatures given, do you have a probed thermometer so you know the exact temperatures?

Is the under tank heater regulated by a thermostat?
If it isn't then the snake is telling you it's too hot by staying on the cold side of the tank.

Ball pythons need at least low 70's on the cool side of the tank and mid 80's on the warm side and they love 90ish degree hot spot to lay on.

[LLLReptile]

I would doublecheck your pad; it sounds like there may be a malfunction, and it might be over heating. That would result in your snake trying to get as far away from the heat as possible!

Basically, doublecheck everything, and perhaps consider getting a smaller heat pad. As others have suggested, a pad covering 2/3rds of the cage is a bit much. At most, half the cage could be covered, but ideally it'd only be 1/3rd or 1/4th of the cage space.

-Jen

[Cornishninja]

Alrighty, I've adjusted the heat pad so that under half of the cage is over it, it is thermostat controlled, and according to the probed thermometers I've got set up, (Sorry I didn't give exact temperatures before, it was because it would require conversions from my centigrade to your Fahrenheit. I've done that now though.) The hotspot is hanging around 85-87 and the cool area is hovering between 65 and 70 ish... and there seems to be a pretty good gradient between the two. He/she is still favouring the cool area, but warmed up a bit last night, so I'm not too worried about it, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong.

Thanks guys!

[The Serpent Merchant]

Your temperatures are way too low.

the cool side needs to be between 78-82 F (25.5-27.7 C)

The hot side needs to be between 88-92 F (31-33.3 C)

Anything below 75 degrees F (23.8 C) can cause illness

[Cornishninja]

Mkay, I'll do what I can to get those temperatures up to match those right away.

[kitedemon]

I agree with Jen, the pad is too large one third only. Check the temps and get a spare if there is a problem I would replace it anyway as 2/3 is too large.

[Mhavens]

I don't want to hijack Cornishninja thread but I'm a new BP owner and I'm having some similiar temperature issues too.

Im using a 10g tank
UTH
Hydropharm thermostat set to 98
thermostate probe is on the hot side glass under the substrate
cypress substrate
temp probe under substrate on the cool side

The ambient temp reads 77
the cool side is reading between 74-78
im not sure what the surface temp on the hot side is (IR therm on its way). But the thermostat sensor is reading 98.

He seems fine. He's eaten twice and has shed once and moves between the hides regularly. My concern is that the temps might be to low. I'm thinking of putting a second UTH on the cold side and setting it to say 85.

Are my temps to low? Is there a way to insulate the tank? Will my two UTH system work?

Thanks

[I-KandyReptiles]

I don't want to hijack Cornishninja thread but I'm a new BP owner and I'm having some similiar temperature issues too.

Im using a 10g tank
UTH
Hydropharm thermostat set to 98
thermostate probe is on the hot side glass under the substrate
cypress substrate
temp probe under substrate on the cool side

The ambient temp reads 77
the cool side is reading between 74-78
im not sure what the surface temp on the hot side is (IR therm on its way). But the thermostat sensor is reading 98.

He seems fine. He's eaten twice and has shed once and moves between the hides regularly. My concern is that the temps might be to low. I'm thinking of putting a second UTH on the cold side and setting it to say 85.

Are my temps to low? Is there a way to insulate the tank? Will my two UTH system work?

Thanks

The thermostat probe should be outside the tank directly over the Uth.

Then the thermometer probe goes inside the tank, directly over the Uth ontop of the glass.