Quote Originally Posted by Vanthios View Post
I've just gotten my first ball python. I've had him for about a day now. I purchased him and an enclosure from his previous owner, including a decent-sized tank and the substrate, single hide, small water dish, and few accessories that it lived in prior to its sale. For heating, all I have at this moment is a red night bulb and a very small heat pad. According to the ZooMed digital thermometer that I also received, it's only about 85 degrees Fahrenheit beneath this lamp. The probe is about six inches from the top of the tank. Should I be switching to something else? !


The thermometer probe should be on the floor of the enclosure.
You need to know the temp where the snake is, not the temp near the light.