Ball python underbed bin setup advice.

[tlv96]

Hey everyone, i just got my first ball python a couple weeks ago. I have a 20L tank for her which is big enough for now, as she's still pretty small. I'm planning to make her a bigger enclosure out of a 6.38Hx19.75Wx44L underbed plastic bin for when she grows up.

The bin won't go under my bed, i plan on using the ambient light in the room for her day/night cycle. I'm going to drill holes along the sides of the bin, and I'll probably leave the lid alone but am considering putting in screens. The hot end will have 2 9x20 heat mats on the bottom of the bin, both controlled by a stat set to 92F.

I'll be monitoring temp/humidity inside the hot hide, which I'd like to completey bury in loose coconut fiber substrate. My main concern is air flow. I was thinking the UTH could create convection currents that would cycle fresh air throughout the hide with the only opening being the entrance, but I'm not sure if i should just keep the hide on the surface, or create more air openings in the hide.

The cool side will have a surface level hide and it's own thermo/hygrometer like the hot side. Then the water bowl, some sticks and plants will go in between the hides with loose coconut fiber underneath. Will my bin be tall enough? Can i bury the hot hide and not worry about air? Do i need to put a screen in the lid? Thanks for any help, if you have any more advice for me i definitely appreciate it.

[Bogertophis]

My personal take is that I'd never keep a snake (especially one that gets the size of a BP) in any sort of cage that's only 6.38 H...and by the time you
add substrate, it's even less. Minimal height IMO is 12" (depending on what you're keeping). Short cages encourage many snakes to push & rub noses.

The "hot hide" will have a doorway, of course, so the air should circulate adequately...though in cages with humid substrates you might get condensation
inside the hide. I have a couple hides that I drilled about 5 small air holes in (each), for when that was an issue, & re-using them with extra ventilation
makes no difference to their current occupants.

[Bogertophis]

For that size cage (that "footprint") I think that having 2 heat mats (that are 9" x 20") set to 92* sounds excessive, unless your house is very cold???
I could see one set to 90-92* & the other set lower, to give a good thermal gradient. Do plan to set up whatever enclosure you end up using for at least
a week BEFORE you put a living creature inside, to make sure you have the conditions under control & stable where they need to be.

The other thing about a very shallow enclosure is that the snake can push the lid MUCH harder because they have way more leverage...but truly, I just
don't think it's a good idea. Others should be weighing in soon...

[Bogertophis]

Bump for beeper-keepers...

[Starscream]

I am also wondering if you would be interested in using a tub with greater height, for reasons mentioned above and because ball pythons are known for climbing when given the opportunity.

Walmart has 36x20x20 size stacker totes that are clear, which will allow greater substrate depth and the use of climbing branches. You can either use a UTH or modify the lid to accomodate overhead heating. I personally use overhead heat to allow a more natural heat gradient that the snake can move between rather than just 'hot' and 'cold'.

I've only used a screen on the lid for use with a CHE, and have found holes around the tub to be enough for ventilation.

As long as your room is above 75F, I'm unsure why you would need two UTHs. If you use overhead heat, that will help raise the ambient temps to the correct range should your room temps fall below 75F.

[tlv96]

Yeah the two UTHs are because the room the enclosure will be inhabiting has poor insulation, and gets very cold during winter and very hot during summer. I'll look into these 36x20x20 bins, and if I'm gonna use that kind of height, I'll probably mod the lid for a CHE as well

[Craiga 01453]

Yeah the two UTHs are because the room the enclosure will be inhabiting has poor insulation, and gets very cold during winter and very hot during summer. I'll look into these 36x20x20 bins, and if I'm gonna use that kind of height, I'll probably mod the lid for a CHE as well

Keep in mind that UTHs are designed solely to provide a hot spot. They are not intended to be used to raise ambient temps. If your room gets below the high 70s/low 80s you will need an additional heat source.

[Bogertophis]

And contrary to what some people say, 'UTH' DOES in fact raise the ambient temperature in any enclosure...because heat rises into the cage. If it doesn't
seem to be doing that, you need to modify the way it's set up by insulating to keep the heat where you need it to go. (UTH requires some ventilation for
safety but not all that much.)

In a room/house where temperatures fluctuate wildly (cold winter/hot summer) I highly recommend that you insulate whatever cage you use, and the best
way would be a wood cabinet around the snake's enclosure, with only a minimized front window for viewing. Snakes love their privacy anyway.

If you use only a plastic tub of whatever size & UTH that's hot enough to give adequate warmth to the snake in the winter, I am very concerned that without
the cage being suitably enclosed, the heat will not only warp the plastic* but also could be a fire risk. Please keep safety in mind. (*I personally prefer glass
for safety etc, but I don't currently keep BPs. Popular opinion here is that plastic works best for retaining humidity. There are ways to make glass work too.)

[PitOnTheProwl]

And contrary to what some people say, 'UTH' DOES in fact raise the ambient temperature in any enclosure...because heat rises into the cage. If it doesn't
seem to be doing that, you need to modify the way it's set up by insulating to keep the heat where you need it to go. (UTH requires some ventilation for
safety but not all that much.)

In a room/house where temperatures fluctuate wildly (cold winter/hot summer) I highly recommend that you insulate whatever cage you use, and the best
way would be a wood cabinet around the snake's enclosure, with only a minimized front window for viewing. Snakes love their privacy anyway.

If you use only a plastic tub of whatever size & UTH that's hot enough to give adequate warmth to the snake in the winter, I am very concerned that without
the cage being suitably enclosed, the heat will not only warp the plastic* but also could be a fire risk. Please keep safety in mind. (*I personally prefer glass
for safety etc, but I don't currently keep BPs. Popular opinion here is that plastic works best for retaining humidity. There are ways to make glass work too.)

You evidently are not too familiar with racks are you?
Second, properly regulated heat sources will not do any damage to tubs. If that is your thought process then you probably shouldnt hold one in your hand for too long.

[Bogertophis]

You evidently are not too familiar with racks are you?
Second, properly regulated heat sources will not do any damage to tubs. If that is your thought process then you probably shouldnt hold one in your hand for too long.

Yes, I am familiar, but don't use them. They aren't all created equal...my concern was that 'bins' created for storing linens etc under beds are not sturdy
plastic that is designed to be heated, esp. not with dual UTH set to the high-end of recommended temps. for BPs...I just don't think that's a good plan, no
matter how trustworthy you've properly regulated them. Even many of the professionally-created plastic cages do some warping with long-term heat.