Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm setting up a 29 gallon for a baby ball python and i'm planning on only using an under tank heater. Will the snake be ok or do you absolutely have to have a heat lamp as well?

no, you can just use the undertank heater. it work well. put it over there hide box and it makes a good hotspot for them

Depends on your room temperature. If you have a room that is warmer than most then you'll probably be fine with just the UTH. Most rooms in a house are too cool for just an UTH, IMO. The spot right over top of the UTH may be ok but everywhere else will likely be in the 70's.

All you can do is set it up and check the temps...if its fine, good...if not then add more heat.

~Jason

If you use duct tape to cover most of the screen lid, that will help keep some heat in and it will also help with humidity. When covering the lid, leave about an inch open on the opposite side of the heat. Worked great for a boa.
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Rachel Squier
"The more we live by our intellect, the less we understand the meaning of life." -Leo Tolstoy

If it's a small python, you may want to go down to something about 10 gallons or so for now, or your snake may not eat. And to answer your original question, assuming you have an average room temperature (around 72 degrees or so), you should be fine with the UTH.

That tank is way to big!! Ten gal at the max!
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Coolluigi

"You can never have too many hets" - Jim S

0.1 Pastel Pos Het Hypo
1.1 Pastel
1.0 Mojave Pos Het Hypo
1.0 Yellowbelly
1.0 100 % Het Pied
0.8 50% Het Pied
1.7 Normal
0.2 100% Het Hypo (Orange Ghost)
0.2 Spider
1.2 100% Het VPI Axanthic
and soon to be more. *fingers crossed*