Quote Originally Posted by mooingtricycle View Post
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)