New bp owner, set up check ?

[Ash81]

This is my female bp 3 mths old. She is slightly nervous , as am I lol...... I've handled her once and she has eaten once, I've had her just a full week now. Had a battle with humidity but putting the water near the heat bulb has raised it to around 50% ? Does her home look suitable ? Any issues or pointers let me know! I love my new pet and hope we can form a bond, hoping she doesn't become aggresive..... Thanks in advance

[Tbrown806]

What are your temps? Hot & cool side.
What heat source you using? Belly heat or just a bulb
Using a thermostat to regulate heat?

[albinos_rule]

If you don't have a UTH, you definitely need one, on a thermostat of course as they can get hot enough to burn your snake if they aren't on one. I also would recommend an infrared heat gun. That way you can spot check the temps anywhere in the enclosure.

[Ash81]

Hi there.... I've got three temp probes and one humidity sensor.
Temp probe on floor directly under heat light - 89f
Temp probe middle of viv 2" from floor - 80f
Temp probe cool end 2" from floor 78f
humidity sensor middle of viv 2" from floor 49-50%
Dimmer stat controlling infrared red bulb 24/7

I don't have heat mat, although I did at first but it did nothing to raise viv temps other than floor!
Thanks

[Ash81]

I bought a ceramic but not a high enough watt, changing it tomoro for another one so will be on ceramic heat as of tomoro....

[albinos_rule]

They heat mats, or UTH (under tank heaters) as I call them are not intended to raise the viv temps. Their purpose is to provide belly heat, which is what snakes need to digest their meals.

[Ash81]

So does my bp need a heat lamp and a heat mat? So my snake won't be able to digest food properly without a mat? Even though the viv has a temp gradient throughout plus areas of floor at 90f to lay on?

[Eric Alan]

So does my bp need a heat lamp and a heat mat? So my snake won't be able to digest food properly without a mat? Even though the viv has a temp gradient throughout plus areas of floor at 90f to lay on?

It sounds to me like your temperatures are spot on. The snake isn't going to care where the heat is coming from (under cage, ceramic element, bulb) as long as the proper thermal gradient is available to them. Just make sure to keep an eye on the humidity when you switch to the ceramic bulb, as they tend to dry things out a bit quicker than usual.

[albinos_rule]

I say they do need belly heat, but what do I know...

Maybe others will chime in with some ideas

[ahnshaye]

I say they do need belly heat, but what do I know...

Maybe others will chime in with some ideas

I've had my normal for about 5 years now with a rhp, no belly heat at all and she's done fine digesting her food. I got her when she was about 100 grams now she's 1800 grams. Seems to be doing fine without belly heat.