UTH dries out cage?

[guitrage]

Here's a quote I got from www.boa-constrictors.com/com/com.html

We strongly discourage people from using ground heaters, especially those with a high wattage, because the snakes lay on them and dry out. We have received several calls from people seeking advice, because their python was having a bad shed and looking very wrinkled. These people swear that the humidity lies above 60%. Right, but not immediately on the ground heater! Measure that spot sometime, and you will be very surprised: 35% or less are no rarity. Unfortunately, the snakes love these spots, because they are nice and warm. They are simply too stupid to realize that resting on a strong heat pad or heating cable is slowly but surely killing them.

Other keepers use ground heat to place the water bowl on top. This leads to nice and warm water, which makes for an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. We have thrown out all of the heating cables and mats years ago, and we have not regretted this once.

The best way to heat the enclosure is by the use of an infrared heat source (available with 60 to 250 Watts), which does not emit any visible light.

So which is it? Do CHE's dry out the cage more or do UTH's?

I'm so confused!

[Adam_Wysocki]

I think what you'll find is that on the internet if there are 10 people having a discussion you will get 11 different ways of doing something.

I at one point in my life have used every possible method of heating my ball pythons (CHE, bulbs, UTH, Heat panels, etc). For my ball pythons and the ball pythons that I have rescued, I have seen first hand that over head heat sources can cause crinkled eyes, bad sheds, and overall low humidity. I use and reccomend belly heat used in conjunction with a thermostat and some method of creating the correct ambient humidity for your animal. I also additionally reccomend humid hides if needed. This is my personal preference.

I think the moral of the story is that there are no absolutes. You can try something and if it doesn't work, try something else. Don't stick with it because someone on the internet told you. Only use the internet as a guide and don't be afraid to experiment until you have a setup that is just right for your ball python. In the end the choice is yours.

If two people both have ball pythons and both of those snakes eat well and shed well and are healthy, and one person uses UTH and the other person uses bulbs, who's to say which person is doing it "right"? Seems to me like the only "winner" would be the snakes!

Hope this helps.

-adam

[Marla]

Ditto what Adam said.

[Jack_Hammer]

I use both UTH/CHE. A well placed water dish takes care of all my humidity needs. The main thing is to use thermostats on every heating element you use. Cooked snake should never be on the menu.

[justcage]

It snot really that bad with a little ketchup....

[Adam_Wysocki]

Hot sauce makes anything taste good!

[justcage]

No doubt... Have you tried a hot sauce called "insanty Sauce"

[Adam_Wysocki]

Nope, but I've been groovin on a sauce called "Pain is good hot sauce" that a friend picked up for me.

Can't even drive a car for about 20 minutes after tasting this stuff!!!!!

-adam

[Smulkin]

OOH now i have to chime in on the derailment! As I love it hot and spicy here's a link to some real scorchers.

I must warn you in advance some of the names they have assigned these various sauces are most definitely not family friendly and would not pass the obscenity filter.

http://www.trymynuts.com/index.cfm?a...dcats&CatID=16

(**some of these make great gifts - jut be prepared to be forced to sample what ye've given **)

[Adam_Wysocki]

Outstanding!!! ty for the link