Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If I keep the ambient temp of my reptile room to around 80', would there still be a need to use a heating element if the temperature in the enclosure is itself the same as ambient room temperature? Thank you for your input.

An ambiant temp of 80 is fine if you have supplemental basking heat of 90-92.

If you can't supply them with supplemental heating, best to raise your ambiant temps to 85-87.

80 is way too cold for ball pythons, they need a hot spot of 90-92 and ambiant temp a little bit over 85

Better get a heating pad, doesn't cost much and do the job. Just have to use a thermostat of some sort to it (don't use a lamp dimmer, can be dangerous and temperature can raise a lot and be dangerous).
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love this world, don't hate it.

I ask my vet this same ?. He said most people would be surprised at how many herps in zoos are just kept in warm rooms and that 90s are not required, However for balls 84-85 would be much better. I tried it and found that I couldn't take the heat. I heat cages so I can spend more time in the herp room with my snakes.

Claude

Yeah, people get too anal about certain husbandy topics, thinking things "have" to be done certain ways. Ideally you'd like to see a gradient of some sort. Low 80's ambient and low 90's hot spot but its not absolutely neccessary. I actually go both ways with my heating. I have the ability to heat my room or use specific cage heating or both. I have had no problems doing it either way. They eat and breed like crazy regardless.

Jason