ball pythons and heat lamps?

[dillymann]

someone told me that heat lamps are bad!! for ball pythons is that true? i have a heat lamp over my ball python enclosure as well as a heat pad hooked up to a lamp dimmer is that ok to use??

[bcr229]

They're not "bad" per se, it's just much easier to maintain the correct temperatures and humidity using a UTH that is regulated by a thermostat. Also remember that BP's primarily live underground during the day and are most active at night, so they don't require overhead lighting.

[DPBallPythons]

I think what some people mean with "bad" is that the heat lamp will make your humidity level drop bigtime ! Other than that, if the temperatures are OK, I don't know anything else that would be bad with heating lamps. Although a UTH should be enough.

[martin82531]

Keep in mind as well, unlike a heat lamp, a UTH will do nothing for your ambient temps.

[dillymann]

the only reason i have the lamp is that my bedroom stays very cool in the summer and especially in the winter so it helps bring up the temp in the cage from the low 70s which is what it usually is around when the lamp is off

[SlitherinSisters]

I would say they are bad for ball pythons, but they are bad for humidity. You will probably have to mist the tank all the time to keep the humidity high enough to have good sheds.

[dillymann]

i have a fogger setup on a timer

[LLLReptile]

i have a fogger setup on a timer

That helps counteract how drying a light can be on a cage. You can also use damp moss packed into the hiding places to increase humidity as needed.

But as others have pointed out, heat lights aren't inherently bad, but they do make it more difficult to maintain adequate humidity in the cage. You can compensate for it, but it is something to be aware of.

-Jen

[MsMissy]

You might want to consider putting the heat lamp on a dimmer. The lamp on a dimmer is very helpful as they do put out a lot of humidity zapping heat. I maintain a 90 hotspot, 82 ambient and 55% humidity with my set up. <it wasn't easy and I considered a new career as an alcoholic during this time of my young Bp's startup.>

Might I also suggest you do the foil/ tape trick on your screen lid? Will help hold in both heat and humidity.

Here is an example of the foil/tape thing.