A Few Concerns With My Ball Python

[calliebobally]

Yes, a thermostat is a different thing from a thermometer. A thermometer only measures temperatures, a thermostat regulates power to a device (like a UTH) based on temperatures. A thermostat will have its own built in temperature probe (similar to the one your thermometer has). That probe measures the temperature of your UTH and tells the thermostat whether to turn it up/down (or on/off). It can be a confusing concept, but they're two different and useful things!

Also, I just noticed you say you're feeding her pinky mice. That seems a little small to me. Most breeders say even their freshly hatched pythons are eating larger prey that that. The general rule is to feed your snake something that is as or slightly wider than the widest point of your snake. I'd bet your snake is definitely wider than a pinky mouse!

Firstly I am sorry that I replied twice. I am so technologically challenged
And okay. I feel dumb now. Definitely getting one of those asap. As in I just ordered it. Lol. Thank you so much! I will move her up on larger prey.

[calliebobally]

I'd move her up to half grown mice. I start on those right after the first shed.

And yes a thermostat regulates the temperature. They are probably the best investment in your snakes enclosure you can make.

Thank you so much! I will move her up and I have already ordered a thermostat!

[thejennabird]

So this is a thermostat that directly attaches to the UTH?

Yes. Here's a good image to demonstrate. Your UTH plugs into that empty socket at the bottom. The other plug goes into your wall. And the little probe thingy attaches to your UTH to measure its temperature. Hope that makes more sense!



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Thank you so much! I will move her up and I have already ordered a thermostat!

Awesome! I bet that thermostat will make your life easier AND put your mind at ease. =)

[calliebobally]

You certainly can use a lamp dimmer. It's basically an extension cord with a slider that adjusts how much power goes to your heat pad. More power, higher temp. You'll need a separate thermometer to monitor temps.

You could also use a programmable thermo/rheostat. We have rancos and herpstats, and like them both.

Most definitely investing in a thermostat. I also ordered a temp gun yesterday for that reason. Learning a lot. Lol.

[calliebobally]

Yes. Here's a good image to demonstrate. Your UTH plugs into that empty socket at the bottom. The other plug goes into your wall. And the little probe thingy attaches to your UTH to measure its temperature. Hope that makes more sense!



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Awesome! I bet that thermostat will make your life easier AND put your mind at ease. =)

Yes! Makes a lot more sense now! I assume those are compatible with any heating pad? I have a zoo med. It will. I swear I almost had a heart attack last night with her going cold.

[thejennabird]

Yup, it'll work with a ZooMed! That infrared thermometer will come in handy. It'll take some trial and error to find the correct thermostat setting, but you'll probably have to set it higher than you expect in order to reach 90-92 inside the tank, because some heat will be lost through the glass. For example, my thermostat is set to 96 so that the inside floor ranges between 88 and 92 on my infrared.

[calliebobally]

Yup, it'll work with a ZooMed! That infrared thermometer will come in handy. It'll take some trial and error to find the correct thermostat setting, but you'll probably have to set it higher than you expect in order to reach 90-92 inside the tank, because some heat will be lost through the glass. For example, my thermostat is set to 96 so that the inside floor ranges between 88 and 92 on my infrared.

Well I won't get the thermostat for a few days, so I'm going to result to waking up every few hours to regulate the heating pad myself *screams*. Thermostat will definitely come in handy. I start work soon and won't be able to be as attentive and my husband works nightshifts in the air force on base, so he isn't home often. Suggestions until I get it?
And okay that makes sense.thank you so much for all of your help you have been really informative and not to mention patient with all of my questions. I just want to know everything I can so I can make the best decisions for my baby girl.

[thejennabird]

No problem. It's good to see pet owners who care for their snakes as much as you do! A dimmer is a good short-term fix if you can find them at your local hardware or home goods store (mine never carried them in stock, so I didn't even have that option). You'll probably still be checking it frequently until you get get the dimmer "dialed in" to the correct setting for the UTH.

[calliebobally]

No problem. It's good to see pet owners who care for their snakes as much as you do! A dimmer is a good short-term fix if you can find them at your local hardware or home goods store (mine never carried them in stock, so I didn't even have that option). You'll probably still be checking it frequently until you get get the dimmer "dialed in" to the correct setting for the UTH.

Thank you. I really never thought i would love a reptile so much. Always wanted a snake. Just want her happy! Hehe. okay. I will look into it. Hopefully they will be in stock. Thank you so much again!