belly heat vs back heat

[mooingtricycle]

I use belly heat. The ambient air temps in the tubs can have small differences with just back heat. The belly heat provides more of a temperature range. For example the room temp is 75 the tub ambient air temp is 75 cool side 80 warm side with a belly heat of 90. If you use back heat the snake will not be able to access a larger thermal gradient. Also, for cooler rooms I prefer belly heat.

I guess this depends on what you are looking for. Temperature stability or larger thermal gradient. I prefer the latter for my applications.

Why does the animal not have a higher thermal gradient? I would imagine that, laying up against the side of the tub with back heat *which ball pythons very much tend to do since they like to squish against things*, they are still very much receiving the benefits of said thermal gradient. My temps, on the very side of the tub, reach 90 degrees ( i can even take a photo if you dont believe this) The entire lenth of the tub on that half. ( i have sideways racks, in 32qt tubs with two rows of 11" flexwatt running down the back on each)

[Hyper Joe]

Why does the animal not have a higher thermal gradient? I would imagine that, laying up against the side of the tub with back heat *which ball pythons very much tend to do since they like to squish against things*, they are still very much receiving the benefits of said thermal gradient. My temps, on the very side of the tub, reach 90 degrees ( i can even take a photo if you dont believe this) The entire lenth of the tub on that half. ( i have sideways racks, in 32qt tubs with two rows of 11" flexwatt running down the back on each)

Hi Alicia,

Nice to meet you =)

I do not disagree with you about the back side getting to a certain temp.
But the below is why I consider the thermal gradient difference...

1- Due to surface area and the BP contact with that surface area is less than if it were belly heat. A 32 quart is 6" high 15" wide which is 90 square inches on the back if used the long way. If you use the same 11' flexwatt as belly heat that would be 165 square inches. Now if you use it the wide way (your said method) that is still only 126 square inches of surface area.

2- Contact to surface area and BP. Normally BPs will lay on the heat with most of their ventral scales(belly) exposed to the belly heat. This is the fastest and easiest way to warm up. This is why colder rooms is better to use belly heat. If they are trying to warm up to a side wall only a portion of their side will be in contact with the wall. They have less surface area touching the heat and heat rises so doesn't help the BP warm up any faster.

3- This is the reason most incubators use wall/side heat (less temp differences/gradient)

*See diagram (hope it works. still kind of new to this forum and how to do things)

[West Coast Jungle]

Hi Alicia,

Nice to meet you =)

I do not disagree with you about the back side getting to a certain temp.
But the below is why I consider the thermal gradient difference...

1- Due to surface area and the BP contact with that surface area is less than if it were belly heat. A 32 quart is 6" high 15" wide which is 90 square inches on the back if used the long way. If you use the same 11' flexwatt as belly heat that would be 165 square inches. Now if you use it the wide way (your said method) that is still only 126 square inches of surface area.

2- Contact to surface area and BP. Normally BPs will lay on the heat with most of their ventral scales(belly) exposed to the belly heat. This is the fastest and easiest way to warm up. This is why colder rooms is better to use belly heat. If they are trying to warm up to a side wall only a portion of their side will be in contact with the wall. They have less surface area touching the heat and heat rises so doesn't help the BP warm up any faster.

3- This is the reason most incubators use wall/side heat (less temp differences/gradient)

*See diagram (hope it works. still kind of new to this forum and how to do things)

Nice chart Joe, I'm gonna have to call you Professor

[Hyper Joe]

Nice chart Joe, I'm gonna have to call you Professor

hehe..
Giants, Yankees and reptile fan..
We are going to get along great.

[Muze]

I love the chart!

I use belly heat because with my set up I have no other choice. I think I would still prefer to use belly heat even if I did have a choice, though. I feel more comfortable knowing they each have a basking spot.

[nixer]

in my back heat racks the temp in the tub is 80 in the middle, but my belly heat tub is not 80 in the middle. thats also in a room that is roughly 70 degreees. like it was said earlier back heat keeps more stable temps and i havent had or seen any ill effects. i used to be a belly heat only guy and for what its worth back heat is easier to deploy, cheaper to run, and helps ambient temps.

btw ball pythons dont bask! they are nocternal

[zackw419]

will someone help explain to me how you create back heat vs. belly heat?

[JeffJ]

btw ball pythons dont bask! they are nocternal

they have been known to find a nice rock thats holding some day heat and sit on it at night. Discovery channel is sweet any one els catch that hour long snake special yesterday?

[nixer]

they have been known to find a nice rock thats holding some day heat and sit on it at night. Discovery channel is sweet

yes then 3 hours later they show about the "evil" pythons taking over the united states!

[JeffJ]

yes then 3 hours later they show about the "evil" pythons taking over the united states!

lol sarcasm? i didnt catch that program