Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I havent kept snakes in many years and it seems things have changed quit a bit since then. Back when I kept snakes everyone was using heat lamps and hot rocks.

I am about to purchase a Ball python morphs and a little information would be appreciated. I will be using aquarium (30 or 40 gallon long, I forget which) it is 36"L x 18"W x 12"T

It would appear that everyone is using UTH's on the hot side of enclosure ... is this the only heating source used? No heat lamps or lights at all?

What size UTH would be recumended, it appears that the medium size UTH 12"x8" is the suggested size, is this correct?

What temp should I set the thermostat to heat the UTH too?

Ok, here is what I am thinking, UTH on one side of the tank (hot side) sealed no ventilation lid on this side of enclosure. On the other side of the tank (cool side) screen ventilation lid, no heat source .... does this sound correct??

I want a simple set up ... suggestions and idea are welcome!! Thanks!!

Please post here as im not sure if KS forum will forward to my correct email or not, thanks again!

oh also, do I keep the temps going 24/7 or should I let them drop at night time?

85-90 hot side ... 75-80 cool side ... correct??

What about a hot spot of 95 ?? Do I need a hot spot, if so what is normally being used for the hot spot?? A heat lamp or ceramic heat ??

The area over the heat pad is the warm spot, and it should be 90-92. The rest of the cage (ambient/cool side) should be 80-82. No need to drop the temps at night, that's why there is a gradient.
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

You can use Glass Tanks, Wood Built, or Rubber-Maid containers...

The general rule is ..the enclosure/container must be at least 2/3 the length of the snake...

There’s a Link at the bottom of this post, for some nice containers...
Very clear looking - like glass - may seem a bit expensive, but may be less than glass tanks.
Or you can find cheap ones at like a dollar store or wal-mart.

Just make sure you have All the right equipment needed!

Digital Thermometer/Hydrometer (found at Wal-Mart [Hardware dept] - Lowes, Home Depot, etc for less than $15)
(Dial gages are Crap) the probe from the therm/hydrometer gores IN the Warm Side Hide - the unit goes on the cool side of the tub/tank.
You need to get something similar to this...

Temps should read:
Warm Side: between 90f - 93f
Cool Side:between 80f - 83f
Humidity: between 50% - 60% (70% when in shed)
the Probe goes Inside the Warm hide (don’t attach it - makes for a pain when cleaning)
Unit goes on cool side... near the bottom of enclosure
In temp = Cool side temp
Out temp = Warm side temp
Bottom Reading = Humidity Level

The heat provided should be obtained by using a UTH (under Tank Heater) With a Thermostat!
Belly Burn is Nasty, Unhealthy, and can be Very Costly!!!

UTH (Under Tank Heater) to warm one side of the enclosure

Thermostat to Control the Heat (works like a House thermostat)

Water bowl

2 Hides - Preferably indentical and not half logs - one one each side of the enclosure

Locks - Make Sure you have Clips to lock down tight, any lid you have.
Where the head goes, so will the body!

Substrate - anything but Cedar and pine (TOXIC TO ALL REPTILES)
or Sand (sand will dry them out, get in their mouths and under scales and cause infection)

Most use Aspen...
Many use news paper, some use shelf liner - No Contact Paper -
cypress mulch, etc.

Just remember... the more you put In, the More you have to Clean!!!

Should do a complete clean once a month, spot clean as needed

Please, read Care Sheets, preferably Before getting Any snake!
some things have changed over the years,
With Proper Care... Most snakes can live 20-30 years

Rubber-Maid Containers

30 - 40 gal aquarium. That'll work. One thing to remember, though, is that these snakes are only comfortable hiding in tight spots. They seem to like to be someplace where they just fit, and it's even better if their back touches the top of the "hide" you use. (2 actually - one on the hot side, and one on the cold side). I just use cheap plastic flowerpot saucers placed upside down in the tubs (I have rack systems for caging). I just cut part of the edge off the saucer, make sure there are no sharp edges, then use it as a hide. Easy to clean, too. Newspaper substrate, plastic saucer hides, plastic tubs.. I'm all about having an easy to clean setup. I've seen people use clay flowerpot saucers as hides, but poop & pee soak into those really well, and they're hard to clean.
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