right now im using a 100 watt and i feel like this is wayyyyyyyy too much but his temperature reads 85-90 and sometimes reaching a high of 95. i tryed using a 60 watt which was recommended but the tank only reads mid 70's to low 80's with this bulb. how many watts should i be using to get the just right temp??
2007-02-21 16:40:03 · 11 answers · asked by domlococokills 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Heat mats are better for your snake than any light bulb. The temp of your substrate is more important than the air temps Snakes get most of their heat through the belly rather than air temps. As long as the air temps don't get ridiculously low it should b OK. Also a light bulb tends to heat the whole tank. A snake needs to have a thermal gradient. That means a warm area and a cool area. That way the snake can regulate it's own temperature more easily. A reptile heating mat on one side of the tank will make a thermal gradient a lot easier to achieve.
2007-02-21 17:57:10 · answer #1 · answered by Boober Fraggle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An under tank heater NEVER a heat rock is the most essential heat source for almost any snake. However ball pythons do require a higher ambient air temperature than some species. Most care sheets and snake care guides range from 85-90 degrees F. Put the thermostat near the substrate on the bottom (about 4 inches above it) on the end away from the light or if it is a tank under 30g (not recommended for an adult ball python) in the middle. If it keeps getting over 90 switch to a lesser watt, maybe 75?
You also need to be aware that they require a higher humidity and a hygrometer wouldn't hurt. 60-70% humidity is preferred but difficult to maintain so frequent tank misting is essential. You want your substrate humid but not damp, you don't want musty bedding!
If changing wattage isn't working try raising or lowering the position of the light above the tank.
2007-02-21 18:43:51 · answer #2 · answered by m v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
UTH are nice and can be very helpful, however, you got to make sure they are regulated by either a rhetostat or by a dimmer switch and you need to becareful monitoring it. If a snake moves the substrate and lays on the glass it can be burned as easily as if you were using a heat rock.
I use a 30 watt spot light in some of my smaller vivs and they seem to do the job. For my big boa, I use 100 watts, it is something you need to play with until you find the right temp.
2007-02-22 01:54:39 · answer #3 · answered by hartsock1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think what you're describing is ok but it sounds like you're making the enclosure hotter at night and the temps should be dropping overnight. Am I correct here: Heat mat on 24 hrs UVB light on during daylight hours Red light on overnight If this is what you're doing I would keep the lights on during the day and turn both off at night and then keep the UTH on 24 hours. Even though you don't need UVB lighting, it's certainly not going to Hurt your snake to have low level UVB and it can actually be beneficial for their day/night cycle. The most important thing here though is you get your temps correct. You want a hot spot of 90-92 degrees. Your heat mat and night light should be on the same side and this is the warm side. Your cool side should be btw 78-80 and the ambient temps should be btw 80-85 degrees. Get a temp gun or good thermometer and find out what your temps are. Get a thermostat for the heat mat - theyre dangerous if they're not regulated. Amazon sells cheap, efficient ones for $30 (called hydrofarm thermostats). Good luck!
2016-05-23 22:10:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
True heaters are nice and i do recommend one although i have 2 Burmese pythons and i used to buy those expensive lights but when one blew and i had no others i borrowed a black light ( like the ones you would use at Halloween or a party)from my emperor scorpions ( i used it with them cause of the color they give off under it they turn a shade of green instead of their natural black) it heats all the air although it seems to concentrate more heat in a tighter pattern so when they need heat they find the spot and back off when they don't, Ive got the light directly over a large dish of water to keep moister in the air so it sort of has its own evaporation thing going on it just cycles itself through naturally
Also black lights are very cheap and you can afford to buy several in case on should ever go out
2007-02-21 19:25:13 · answer #5 · answered by Ricky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you need is a lizard light(at pet stores) and a warming rock. The warming rock will give it all the heat it needs(unless it is out side). With any type of light you have to make sure your lizard can't get to it to burn its self on. Buy the time it realizes it's too hot, the damage is done. This can be a very expensive vet bill. If you haven't found a vet yet. you should look for one so should any emergency happen you will know where to go.
2007-02-25 02:30:50 · answer #6 · answered by sweetpea 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Boober Fraggle said it best. UTH's are much better for balls.
Use an undertank heater under one half of your tank. If it were a snake that was more arboreal (likes to hang out in tree's/high places more) then a light would be a better choice.
2007-02-21 18:11:43 · answer #7 · answered by Chris 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
get a heating pad that plugs into the wall i have a ball python thats what i do just a little heating pad under its log
2007-02-24 00:47:26 · answer #8 · answered by crittergirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pet stores have specific UV light bulbs for that, its only a few bucks more an lasts a long time, why dont you get the right one an wont have to worry about it
2007-02-21 18:25:52 · answer #9 · answered by peeps you 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i would assume johan santana
2007-02-21 17:03:52 · answer #10 · answered by Reyes&Ricky 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋