Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sup guys i will be getting my new female ball python next week (shes a 04) and i am goin to use a 17 qt sweater box with heat tape, i am not new to snakes i currently have 0.1 BCI 0.1 DUMERILS BOA 1.1 rat snakes but this is my first time using a sweater box or any plastic type caging. I am wondering how many wholes to put on each side for ventilation and i am also wondering about the temps in the sweater box, right now im testing it out an the hot side is about 86 and cold side about 79-80 is this good or raise them? thx

90F warm side, 80F cool side.

all of mine are in rack systems with flex-tape and plastic tubs. i keep mine at 80 -cool end, 93-hot end in the summer and in the winter ' cooling ' period 72 - cool end and 85-hot end. if you are not into the breeding scene, you wouldnt have to worry about the change in temp but you should have a pretty warm portion of your tub at least 92-95 - for digestion purposes.

what about the hole for ventilation?

it all depends on how tight of a seal you have on your tub. if it is air tight then you do need some. i would just start with one. most of mine do not have any holes just do to the fact that the snakes are looked at every day, they are not air tight, and not having any holes helps with humidity - not that that plays a big part in the whole thing - in my opinion - but you do need a good % to make sure you dont have any shed problems. i only have maybe 20% of mine that has holes and that is just do do larger snakes - larger water dish - too much moister in tub. one dime size - make sure snake is large enough not to escape - in a non-air tight container should be enough. 2 if air tight.

if it is really 86.some tapes will actually be less than they are set for.some by alot...

some people want 90........

ok

I heat a whole room.my balls range from 78 to 88.room air temps.and they do fine..........

would they like belly heat?.I don't know.ask them.they lay ,eat,breed well and all.............

.........I'll do some more research when I get some new racks.I may add a couple with heat tape for kicks and giggles to see who likes and dislikes them..........

....balls do fine at 82 to 86....real temps....
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