I'm not an "expert" with BP's, but I can answer a couple of them...



-i have the UTH installed under a dimmer switch with the heat lamp, what should i do at night. unplugg the UTH or the heat lamp?



I would take off the heat lamp, if not both. Thinking how it happens in nature, during the night heat doesn't come from above, and a cold animal would burrow to get warm, so UTH makes sense. Assuming the heat lamp doesn't give off visible light and it results in the same temperature, I don't think it makes a huge difference either way. Does it get cool enough at night with the UTH on constantly? I'm in Tucson, so concepts such as "too cold" are foreign to me. Damn caresheet says "It should get down to around 75 on the cool side"... ha! If the *house* gets down to 75 I'd be impressed.



-can snakes see in pitch black?



Nothing can see in total darkness, there has to be some light. Their heat receptors still work, though. With their tongue and the receptors, I believe a snake can "feel" its way around enough in total darkness.



-how do i measure the ground temp (dont want to burn his belly)?



A probe would be good, but assuming the ambient temperature at ground level is correct and the ground isn't too warm to the touch, it should be pretty close. In fact, though I use UTH's in my tubs, a little dial thermometer propped up in the tub gives a significantly higher temp than one lying on the ground. I think it has to do with the air heating up faster than the bedding will. An old tank of mine had one of those stick-on UTH's, which produced the right ambient temp, but was way too hot to the touch, and I just duct-taped 5 or so layers of paper towel over the UTH before I put the bedding on, so at the very most the snake still couldn't burn herself.



-humidity at warm side is 60%, what should it be the other end at?



60%. Thinking back to a BP sitting in west Africa, with the exception of his burrow, it would be the same humidity everywhere. Temperature is what's important. With various hot/cold hiding spots, the water bowl, the temperature gradient, etc., there will be more/less humid areas in the tank, and that's all the variety your snake should need.



IANAG, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I hope that helps.

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