Humidity levels

[Morjean]

Just that your heating issue (even if it is not the intended topic of this thread) is far more serious than the humidity issues! You cannot expect people to just gloss over that just because it wasn't the original question. Some stuck shed due to temporary humidity issues can be fixed. A badly injured or possibly dead snake due to using the wrong and unregulated heat sources is less fixable.

I understand that you are on a budget, and that money doesn't come by easy, but when it comes to heating one really shouldn't mess about --- for the sake and safety of your snake!

As has been advised before, please unplug the UTH and use a CHE or similar to heat the tank until you get proper equipment (or get proper equipment right away if in any way possible. That means, a reptile UTH *and* a thermostat). You can use some rabbit fence (I'm not sure what it's called, that wire fence stuff used for rabbit enclosures and the like) and wire to make the bulb kitten proof.

Also, please be aware that temperature gauges, especially the pet store ones, are known to be inaccurate! You can get an IR temperature gun for like 15 bucks which makes it very easy to accurately check the temperature beneath the substrate (which is where you should measure temp). An acurite thermometer with a probe also seems to be a popular choice, which you can get at Wal-Mart for cheap i think (excuse me, I'm european, I'm not 100% sure on that last part)

We're not your enemy and we don't try to publically shame you or anything, this is no witch hunt, we just don't want for your snake to risk getting hurt, thats all! (Google ball python belly burn if you aren't convinced yet...)

Best of luck!

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[Ashleighsmommy]

I understand everyone is just trying to help , i appreciate that . I just feel sone were rude about it . Also id like to add the heating pad has a thick foam layer between it and the tank and ive felt the glass under her substrate and it hardly feels warm to my touch , its just keeping the tank warm enough when covered other than that its not keeping everything super hot

[Ashleighsmommy]

Oh also the bulb isnt what im concerned about when it comes to the kitten its the tank lid , the lid lays on the lipbof the tank and has pieces on all 4 corners that slide under the lip , so whereas i know it cant be pushed up by my snake i fear it falling in on the kittens weight (ive had times i was putting it back on and if it isnt balanced correctly before the locks are in place itll try and fall in , i haven't noticed it having that problem once the locks are on but id rather not take the chance)

[JodanOrNoDan]

No one is trying to do anything but give you good advice. Think of it as going to the DR and them telling you you shouldn't smoke even though you went in for a cold. I am not out to win a popularity contest, only to give good advice even if it is not wanted. I and many others here have a room full of snakes. We know what we are doing but we all started out knowing nothing and we either learned from others or learned the hard way. BTW, your heat issues can affect your humidity. I would also suggest as a grandfather and a father of four that your financial focus should be on your new blessing, not a snake.

[chrid16371]

I understand everyone is just trying to help , i appreciate that . I just feel sone were rude about it . Also id like to add the heating pad has a thick foam layer between it and the tank and ive felt the glass under her substrate and it hardly feels warm to my touch , its just keeping the tank warm enough when covered other than that its not keeping everything super hot

No one was trying to be rude, just looking out for the best interest of the snake. As far as a light on top, I have cats and I have dome on top of my Leopard geckos tank for a day light and basking bulbs in domes on my custom built beardie cages and what I do to make sure the cats can't knock them over is drill holes near the edge of the dome and take metal wire and secure them to top of screen. If the glass under the substrate feels warm even a little bit it means it is over 98.6 bc that is what human body temp is, my uth are set at 90-92 and I can feel absolutely no heat coming from them bc they are cooler than my body temp. Again this is just advice to help you avoid a hurt snake and a expensive vet bill.

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[Ashleighsmommy]

I know my focus should be on the baby, hints why ive had to slowly make the snakes living conditions better and better, because I've had to worry about my baby , but i cant completely drop all interest in my pet either

[Scottywelsh]

Please please please remember that if it feels warm to the touch its more than likely going to be hot enough to burn your snake.
Good Luck and congratulations on your soon to be new born

[Ashleighsmommy]

Okay guys if anyone is still watching this thread i need to come back to it , i removed the human heating pad until we could get her a reptile one (again where we have to set her tank up atm we cant use a light) but its been under her tank for about an hr now and it seems her temp isnt getting any higher ,maybe even slightly lower . Any idea why that would be ? The uth mat is definitely working , it sits about a half an inch below the bottom glass of her tank , and i dont see any way the heat could be escaping except up into the tank , so im really confused

[Snoopyslim]

Glad to hear you now have a UTH - next question everyone is going to ask - is it being controlled by a thermostat or dimmer? These regular heat mats bought from pet stores can exceed temps of 105+ so it is very crucial to regulate the heat in some way.

UTH is used for belly heat not ambient temps,either keep that room warmer to achieve a good temp or try to put the tank somewhere that you can put a CHE over top to achieve proper ambient temps. Plus an hour is a very short amount of time to judge a heat source...wait a day and see where it's at but do not leave that thing on unless you have a thermostat.

How is your humidity been holding up? We used to use damp towels/clothes when we had the grated lid, it worked wonders but was just annoying having to soak the clothes every other day.

[Ashleighsmommy]

Glad to hear you now have a UTH - next question everyone is going to ask - is it being controlled by a thermostat or dimmer? These regular heat mats bought from pet stores can exceed temps of 105+ so it is very crucial to regulate the heat in some way.

UTH is used for belly heat not ambient temps,either keep that room warmer to achieve a good temp or try to put the tank somewhere that you can put a CHE over top to achieve proper ambient temps. Plus an hour is a very short amount of time to judge a heat source...wait a day and see where it's at but do not leave that thing on unless you have a thermostat.

How is your humidity been holding up? We used to use damp towels/clothes when we had the grated lid, it worked wonders but was just annoying having to soak the clothes every other day.

Humidity is holding up perfectly now , especially since my fiance was able to get her a larger water dish (which she loves , the second she noticed it she stuck her head in and started drinking lol) but no , i havent been able to find a thermostat sadly , ive been looking but havent seen one anywhere near me, and have no way to order offline . But its now been hours and still nothing , in fact her temp is lower than before when i had no heat source?? Im really confused