trouble feeding a new 2 month old

[Sacstate707]

Hot rock in tank not good, unless regulated by Tstat. The built-in stat which comes with rock is not reliable


Follow advice of others on feeding. Patience number one requirement for BP owners

Ya its a hydrofarm tstat. Works purdy good. And ya ill follow the advice on here. A lot of good tips

[Xan Powers]

I'd really steer clear of the heat rocks, even with a tstat. just not needed for a ball python, better off with under the tank or side heat on the outside of the tank.

[Ryan Chin]

As everyone else has set, UTH is the way to go. I personally recommend flexwatt, it is what I use in my rack and even glass cages. If you need help finding some let me know IMO flexwatt is the best heating solution available for our pets especially since it's 1/4 the price of brand name UTH's

[Sacstate707]

Sounds good. Should I use a UTH even for the 2 month old? Prolly a dumb question. Could you send me a link for the best flexwatt? Im on a pretty tight budget...

[AdamF]

Sounds good. Should I use a UTH even for the 2 month old? Prolly a dumb question. Could you send me a link for the best flexwatt? Im on a pretty tight budget...

FW is best choice for any age BPs

Just Google search "buying flexwatt" and you will find many options. It is definitely the cheapest way, and most energy efficient as well.

[Xan Powers]

Sounds good. Should I use a UTH even for the 2 month old? Prolly a dumb question. Could you send me a link for the best flexwatt? Im on a pretty tight budget...

yes you can use flexwatt throughout the entire life of the snake. Under the tank or on the side is up to you. I have two racks that use back heat instead of belly and work great for smaller racks or tanks. If the room the snake is being kept in isn't temp controlled belly heat may be the best option.

I'm at work/on phone so can't look up links but google "LLL reptile+heat tape" should come up with the link. I buy most of mine through them.

[Sacstate707]

I should use under heat even if the temp on the hot side is around 90

[Xan Powers]

I should use under heat even if the temp on the hot side is around 90

is that a question? lol is the temp on the hot side 90 with a uth already in use? 90 is fine but you are using a t-stat to regulate right?

[Sacstate707]

Sorry I was using my phone earlier haha. Ya I use lamps to keep my temps up. Hot side surface hide measures 90° F regularly. So do I need bottom heat if it is that high? I just don't want to shell out the big bucks for another pad and tstat if I don't need to ya know?

[Xan Powers]

Sorry I was using my phone earlier haha. Ya I use lamps to keep my temps up. Hot side surface hide measures 90° F regularly. So do I need bottom heat if it is that high? I just don't want to shell out the big bucks for another pad and tstat if I don't need to ya know?

yeah sadly the uth is one of the most important things in the tank, unlike my blue tongued skink or a gecko, ball pythons aren't going to normally climb a tree to sit under the heat. they'd much rather go somewhere dark, warm, and secluded hence putting a hide on the cold side and the hot side over the uth. That way it feels secure in both hides and can use both for thermo regulation.

mind you this is in a tank set up, tubs are entirely different. So I'd say if you can't spring for it right this second then just make it a priority for whenever you can, I used to use one top heat lamp and one uth on the same side and that kept my hot side perfect.