New Ball Python Owner, need advice pleasee.

[BlueMoonExotics]

Yes it's a ceramic heat emitter in a deep dome lamp. No it's not in the tank as I know she could easily burn herself that way. I guess I should have specified that since it's a new bp keeper. It's above the tank since the tops of the exo terra tanks are screen tops and allow heat through. She'll be moving into a rack eventually but for now she appreciates being able to climb on her stick. She's thinks she's arboreal .

[mcrflo]

Thanks everyone, I know you said not to take any bark out but I did go over the top with it so I took a little bit out with hope that it will raise the temp a bit. I got a everyday thermometer until tomorrow, when I can get a thermostat.

[KMG]

Why ask for help and then not listen? Your uth is not going to raise the temp and your actions could really harm or KILL your snake.

Google burned snake and see the nice pictures of the harm done by unregulated uth's. Its not pretty and very costly. Depending on what uth you have it can easily reach temps over 120 and some substrates hold the heat very well and can cause even hotter temps.

[mcrflo]

I know I understand that but my uth is not hot at all, thats why my faunarium is only about 73 (the hot side). When I said I went over the top, I did put a lot in and you said about 1/4 of an inch is good so I've checked, shes very safe because the floor really isn't hot at all. But tomorrow I'm going to get a better uth and put some more bark in to be safe. I assure you, I wouldn't put her in any danger.

[Daybreaker]

I know I understand that but my uth is not hot at all, thats why my faunarium is only about 73 (the hot side). When I said I went over the top, I did put a lot in and you said about 1/4 of an inch is good so I've checked, shes very safe because the floor really isn't hot at all. But tomorrow I'm going to get a better uth and put some more bark in to be safe. I assure you, I wouldn't put her in any danger.

It may not feel hot to the touch but it still could be hot enough to burn your snake. Regardless, your temps are too low and them being too cold could result in your snake getting ill (like coming down with a respiratory infection) that can be costly to treat.

Have you looked at the BP caresheet yet?

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

[KMG]

I know I understand that but my uth is not hot at all, thats why my faunarium is only about 73 (the hot side). When I said I went over the top, I did put a lot in and you said about 1/4 of an inch is good so I've checked, shes very safe because the floor really isn't hot at all. But tomorrow I'm going to get a better uth and put some more bark in to be safe. I assure you, I wouldn't put her in any danger.

What feels warm to us compared to them is very different. It can feel cool or warm to you but can easily be to hot for a snake.

You keep saying the uth is the reason its to cool. ITS NOT THE REASON. The uth is for a hotspot not your ait temp.

You may just need to add a florescent lamp to the cage ceiling. I'm guessing your cage is a box type but since you are not helping me help you I'm left guessing.

You say you wouldn't put your snake in danger but you are. You came here for help so take the advice you asked for.

[mcrflo]

I'm sorry okay, I've put the right measurement of bark in and I understand now that it can't heat it but I was just panicking because I didn't want my snake to be too cold. I have defiantly put plenty of bark in now so she is safe. I really do appreciate your advice, I was just a bit stuck with too hot and too cold at the time. I will go down to my local reptile store where I know a guy that can help me out with the heating. I'm sorry and thank you for all the advise, I understand.

[BlueMoonExotics]

In my experience it's been impossible to find a thermostat at any of the pet shops. Maybe you'll have better luck in your area but I kind of doubt it. Maybe they might be able to special order them for you if you ask but you will probably pay a higher price than you would online at the link I gave you and it could take longer to get to you as well. Either way good luck with your snake and I hope all goes well for you both.

[KMG]

Good deal.

It is a balance when it comes to heating. As long as you don't keep the ball to low for to long you will be good. Having it to hot the damage can be done much faster and imo be much worse.

You will always find help here but you got me frustrated when you didn't not seem to grasp what I was saying.

Good luck and welcome to the hobby.

[Poseidon]

You may be surprised with the UTH temperature. Go to Walmart and get a thermometer with a probe. Put the probe over the hotspot (check both underneath the substrate and over it) and look at the temperatures. A stick on dial thermometer on the cage wall won't tell you the hotspot temperature. Also controlling the substrate isn't the answer, controlling the UTH is. Get a thermostat to control it. As said, a Ceramic Heat Emitter will help with ambient. The UTH can raise the ambient temperatures, but it is going to boil the floor and burn your snake.

Here's a picture of a burned snake:

That's really not something you want to mess with. Grab a lamp dimmer with a plug on the cord until you can purchase a thermostat. You can measure the UTH temperature with the thermometer probe, and adjust (very light touches on the lamp dimmer).