Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey i was wondering if i could house a corn snake with just a regular light bulb? because i have an exo terra 50 w but wen i put it right over the warm side it makes it like 83-85...nd i figured i could unplug the heat pad but it barely drops any temperature so could i get maybe a 60 watt bulb or something similar and use that? in hopes that it wouldnt give so much heat off

sorry my bad the thermometer was placed in the wrong area of the cage..it is about 78 in there with the heat pad

Just to answer your original question as it is a valid question even if you measured the temperature at the wrong spot. You can use regular household bulbs for heat at any time. Buying the so called 'special' basking bulbs just mean forking over about 10 times the cost for pretty much the same results. I have used teh basking bulbs before and find they burn out faster and put about the same amount of heat as a regular household bulb of the same wattage. So,why pay $6 or more for a 75W bulb when you can pay $ .70 for a regular 75 Watt bulb?

I dont use lights on my snakes but i do for my leapord tortiose.Zoo Med has a new halogen heat lamp out with a 1 year warranty.I saved the reciept and the packing it came in and if it burns out in less than a year i will send it back.It's 15.95 but it also claims to throw out 15% more heat than conventional heat bulbs....Paul..