Body temperature.

[TLRO]

Seems so weird to me that the recommended basking temperature for a Ball Python is less than human body temperature. Does that mean they're uncomfortably warm when we're holding them? How can say 114 F cause them burns? Sorry for the noobness. Just really curious.

[Inarikins]

Our internal temp is about 93 degrees, which isn't too warm for them. Our actual skin temperature is more like 89-90, which is actually about perfect for a ball python. Ball pythons aren't intelligent enough to get off a too-hot spot. They would rather be too hot and burn than leave the heat and be cold. A ball python laying on a 114 degree hot spot is the same thing as laying your hand on a hot stove.

[B.O.S Reptiles]

Human skin is generally 91-95°

[Inarikins]

I think it depends on what part of your body, but your skin won't be warmer than your insides, unless you've been out in the sun for a while. Most of the stats I can find on skin temp says 33-34 degrees celsius, which is 91-93 fahrenheit, which is still not nearly enough to burn a snake. That's also not taking into account individual differences. Even if skin temp did get up to 95, there's still not an issue with burning a snake.

(Sorry, average internal temp is 98 degrees.)

[TLRO]

Thanks guys. I guess its weird to me because I've owned Beardies for the longest time and those things like to be HOT. I just assume all reptiles enjoy insane heat.

[rickm]

Our internal temp is about 93 degrees, which isn't too warm for them. Our actual skin temperature is more like 89-90, which is actually about perfect for a ball python. Ball pythons aren't intelligent enough to get off a too-hot spot. They would rather be too hot and burn than leave the heat and be cold. A ball python laying on a 114 degree hot spot is the same thing as laying your hand on a hot stove.

I disagree. I think a hot spot of 110 degrees is okay, as long as it is only a spot, and not the ambient temps. sometimes it is hard to get the rest of the temps correct and not have a spot that warm. under the substrate, right above the heat cable in my tubs is about 112. above the paper on the same exact spot is about 90 degrees(three layers of paper). I have some a couple balls that will lay directly on the hot spot, under the paper about ten hours after eating....at 112. they do just fine. it is not at all like putting your hand on a hot stove, if it was...they would not stay there. I think it is funny that so many people think that THEY can better choose the temps the snakes need, better than the snake its self. I have also seen corn snakes lay on a hot spot of 115 degrees, and corns can survive in a normal house, with no additional heat at all...this just proves they will utilize more temps than people realize. as long as your ball has temps down in to the mid 70s, they are fine. I would not want the ambient temps above 84 personally, but having a hot spot up to 115 degrees is absolutely no problem at all...and several of my snakes will utilize it if offered. I do agree that some snakes will lay on a heat source and burn themselves, and I have seen it with people using hot rocks, but I also believe this happens when the rest of the enclosure, and the ambient temps are too low. if you offer them warm enough ambient(air temps in the overall enclosure) of 80-84 degrees, you will not have a problem with them burning themselves...especially as long as your hot spot is not above 115. they KNOW what temps they need to properly digest their food. they have been doing this for thousands of years without our help, they will continue to do it without our help, as long as they have the proper temps and humidity ranges. I would not worry too much about it.

[rickm]

Seems so weird to me that the recommended basking temperature for a Ball Python is less than human body temperature. Does that mean they're uncomfortably warm when we're holding them? How can say 114 F cause them burns? Sorry for the noobness. Just really curious.

[rickm]

the proper AMBIENT TEMPS in a ball pythons enclosure should be between 82-84. that is the overall air temps in the cage. the hot spot needs to be at least 88-92 degrees for a ball to properly digest its food. I have my hot spots set at about 90 on top of the bedding or paper, and under that, right on top of the heat source, is about 112...and I have a few animals that will lay directly on top of the heat source...under the bedding. I have never had a snake burn its self. I believe where snakes burn themselves is when the ambient temps in the rest of the cage is too cold and the snake will not move off of the heat. if you have your temps correct, the snake will move around and thermoregulate and NEVER burn its self with a hot spot of up to 115. the snakes know where they are most comfortable, no matter how much we think we know better than them, we do not. give your animal the proper temp range, and they will choose what best fits them...

[Inarikins]

And I disagree with your assertion that a 110 degree surface won't burn a snake. I think you're, frankly, an idiot to think that. Just because, somehow, your snakes haven't gotten burned by you using an unregulated heat mat doesn't mean other snakes were so lucky. My snakes shove aside substrate. Even with correct ambients, they will still shove away substrate and lay right on the heat and I don't doubt for a second that without a properly regulated belly heat they would burn themselves within hours. I don't have a single snake not with 82-84 degree ambients that won't lay right on the bottom of the tub against the heat.

[Coopers Constrictors]

And I disagree with your assertion that a 110 degree surface won't burn a snake. I think you're, frankly, an idiot to think that. Just because, somehow, your snakes haven't gotten burned by you using an unregulated heat mat doesn't mean other snakes were so lucky. My snakes shove aside substrate. Even with correct ambients, they will still shove away substrate and lay right on the heat and I don't doubt for a second that without a properly regulated belly heat they would burn themselves within hours. I don't have a single snake not with 82-84 degree ambients that won't lay right on the bottom of the tub against the heat.

This.

I hope that person is kidding about 110 degree hot spots. Poor snakes...