Quote Originally Posted by heatherhead42
Yeah, I know the morphs can be thousands of dollars. I just meant people who think $100 is an unreasonable price for a snake, or who ask if anyone knows if they can get a snake for $35 or something. It's just kind of funny. Well, and sad, when it's folks looking for "free" snakes. As though a pet is ever free.

Okay, so 1 foot of 11" heat tape, one set of clips etc., and one thermostat. I think we're going with the proportional after all--dh figures we won't be sorry, and it's not that much extra if considered over the life of the snake. And if we get more snakes at some point, we'll already be set up on the thermostat (it can also be used to regulate more than one set of heat tape, right?).

Thanks for the help. I know the enclosure doesn't need to be that high, but yes it is what we have already, and for a variety of other reasons, we prefer the height, so we're going to try to make it work. If we continue to have problems, we'll consider a different enclosure.

Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted. And probably ask more questions!

Oh, by the way, I noticed that the care sheet on this site for ball pythons suggests a few things that have been described as unsuitable in this thread. For instance, it suggests that heat pads designed for humans have been used "with great success" by a "large number" of keepers. It also suggests using a thermostat, but puts it much more mildly, suggesting that you need a thermostat "IF you find it difficult to maintain temperatures adequately" (emphasis mine).

I'm not pointing this out to be difficult, and I understand there can be a wide range of opinion on any topic. But I thought I'd mention it because it does seem, in light of the suggestions in this thread, somewhat... confusing.

Anyway, thank you again very, very much for the help. Thank you.

Heather
The care sheet is a good guide, but it was made a little while ago and things that were considered "ok" then, might not be the best thing now. Those heat pads are not made to run for 24/7 and you could risk the life of your snake.