Reptile & Amphibian Forums

im planning on getting a baby ball python very soon and wanted to house him in a rubbermaid container with a custom lid. but i was wondering how i would heat him. obviously an over head lamp but what wattage? and also would a heat mat burn through a rubbermaid tub? also what would be a nice size for the ball python in rubbermaid tubs? should i buy seperate ones for him as he grows or just one large one for good? thanks -Vincent-

I use a "rubbermaid" type container, actually it's a rubbermaid file box with a lid that attaches securely. I don't use a heat lamp at all. I use a 6" x 11" Dragons Lair Heat Mat attached to an ESU electronic herp thermostat. The warm side of the box is about 88-91 degrees. The heat generated does not affect the box. I use paper towels as a substrate. Be sure to put a hide box on each side and a water bowl to maintain humidity. My ball python it doing just fine with this set-up.

do you put it inside or outside the cage? and dont they need a basking spot?

The heat mat is put under the box, not inside. There is a temperature probe that goes inside the box to sense the temperature and tells the thermostat to turn on or off. As far as I know a "basking spot" using a heat light is not necessary. Though, I've read a lot of people do use them. The ball python uses the belly heat from the heat mat to help with digestion and body temperature regulation. I've had mine set-up this way for about 6 months and the ball python was very young when I got it. It is thriving with this set-up.