New owner with concerns! Looking for straightforward answers

[MarkS]

Make sure to measure the temperature on the FLOOR of the cage where the snake is and not the temperature half way up the side of the glass on the cage. A lot of people end up cooking their snake because they're not measuring the temperatures where the snake is spending it's time. I personally dislike heat lamps, I think it dries out the air too much. I prefer a heat pad with a thermostat (or a rheostat if you prefer, but you MUST have something to regulate the temperature). Many people are overly concerned about the ambient temperature inside the cage and aren't as concerned as they should be about the temperature of the surface that the snakes belly is resting on which should be no hotter then in the low 90's degree F.

And yes, a humid hide is a good thing to have. Get a shoe box/sweater box (whatever size is appropriate for the size of the snake) cut a hole in the side and fill it full of damp sphagnum moss. Keep the moss moist but not soaking wet.

I've never fed even the smallest newborn hatchling a pinky mouse, they're too small. A large fuzzy or hopper mouse is the smallest food item I've ever fed a ball python. The food should leave a visible lump inside the snake after it's been swallowed.

[alexshae]

This may be a dumb question, but a thermostat for the UTH, does it specifically need to be for a UTH or made by a pet care brand? Or will any outlet thermostat work?

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[Zincubus]

This may be a dumb question, but a thermostat for the UTH, does it specifically need to be for a UTH or made by a pet care brand? Or will any outlet thermostat work?

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Any decent one will suffice just avoid those cheap ones from China and similar , off eBay ...

[alexshae]

Thanks! We may be making a trip to petsmart today, that seems to be the only place I can find them that arent cheapies. I really appreciate all the input you guys! Hopefully soon the temps and humidity will be better regulated and I will post pictures of the new set up!

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[PitOnTheProwl]

PetSmart doesn't carry a quality thermostat.
Your best bet would be ordering on line.

[MarkS]

This may be a dumb question, but a thermostat for the UTH, does it specifically need to be for a UTH or made by a pet care brand? Or will any outlet thermostat work?

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

A lot of people like these, -> Digital thermostats on Amazon because they're fairly inexpensive. I have several myself and they work fine for most applications. I personally like these -> reptilebasics ve-200 better because they're proportional and I think a little more accurate (but more expensive).

I attach the probe to the heat mat and use a separate thermometer to measure what the surface temperature actually is. (I like these -> reptilebasics TG-1 for spot checking temps.)

[KMG]

http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

Like Pit said Petsmart does not carry a good tstat. Neither does Petco or most pet stores for that matter.

Many people use the Hydrofarm from Amazon and I bought one once. It failed in the on position in a short time of using it and I have never suggested them since.

Buy the best tstat you can afford. It is the most important thing you will buy for your snake and if you buy a good one it will last you a very long time.

[blue roses]

i had the same problem and found if you cut a piece of plexuglass 2/3 the size of screen top it will help with the humidity. In winter my house is extra dry so i use a zoomed reptifogger and it does a great job.

[alexshae]

I will probably end up ordering one of the nicer thermostats just to be safe then. We have a zoomed UTH but Ive seen some negative reviews on them. Should I look into another brand? Or will it be okay with any thermostat? I would rather pay more and get quality the first time versus ordering cheap and having to continue to make changes.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[KMG]

A good tstat is your best bet.

The Zoomed uth will work with it fine.