Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I I set up my ball python's cage with a heat lamp on one end and the temp is the same through out! By the way the temperature is 80 degrees. I have no room to plug in another heat source. The bulb is in a hood(along with a UV coil). The python was obtained in June when he was a month old. Should I worry about setting up a thermogradient(sorry if spelled incorrectly)? I want to pamper this little guy!

The thing about snakes you need to remember is they are cold blooded. Its a good idea to have a warm side of the tank and a cool side of the tank. If Im not wrong the warm side should be 85-90 degrees and the cool side should be around 80 degrees. I would use belly heat with a thermostat. I have my snakes hide on the warm side and his soak hide on the cooler side. Someone tell me if Im wrong. I hope this helps. Also it would be a good idea to read a care sheet about ball pythons. It should tell you everything you need to know.
James

I have the Ball Python Manual, which is better than a caresheet. I did mention that I lack sockets to plug in anything more such as a heat pad. Would a rock under the heat bulb help?

What size tank are you using? what substrate? What is your humidity? More info on your set up would help for a better recommendation, but I would suggest if you only have one socket to use either getting a power strip for other options and getsome belly heat for your guy or unplugging the lamp and use a UTH. You don't want to put anything directly under a heat lamp as it could heat up too hot and burn your snake. Lamps tend to suck the humidity out of tanks anyway and belly heat will help with your snakes metabolism and is a prefered method of heating. You might also want to consider a radient heat panel instead of a lamp. Hope these suggestions help.
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Tosha

8.10.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

20 gallon long, Repti Bark substrate, humidity is around 25-30%. When he gets ready to shed, I heavily mist the cage often in case you get worried about the humidity. I have a rock under the lamp in my Cal King's cage AND there's a heat pad under it, but I have not had any problems with the setup.

Your everyday humidity needs to be maintained at least at 60% and it needs to be brought up to 75ish% when hes in shed. Aside from helping with their metabolism, this will also help maintain your ambient temps. I'd get rid of your lamp and use an under tank heater for the warm side. In a 20 long, it should create a better heat gradient. If you have a screen top, cover it up. If you happen to be using an analog thermometer, hygrometer, I'd also suggest getting a digital so you can get accurate measurements.
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Tosha

8.10.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

I don't know if I'll be able to keep a humidity like that even with just a pad! Not even misting or putting in a bigger water dish helps with everyday. But shouldn't the python have a light cycle like he would in the wild? I want to be able to see him...

What I think you should do is get an under cage heat pad with a thermostat, find out how much heat the light puts off, and set the thermostat with the light heat in mind. Say the light puts out 10 degrees of heat, you can set the thermostat at 80 degress or so. If youre as cautious as I am you might be interrested in a Raytek Infrared Thermometer(http://www.boaphileplastics.com/raytek.html). Just point it at your snake, your light, the bottom of the cage or whatever and itll show the temp. As for the humidity you really need to get it up. I have a Rubbermaid tub with a hole cut out in the lid so he can soak (which puts out a fair amount of humidity). And I have Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Expandable Substrate (Petco should have it and it holds moisture really good). If your humidity runs a little low just spray some water in the cage. If it runs high just open the cage up for a while.
Good Luck,
James

Wow, and Ralph Davis said I was fine with humidity....lol

I dont let my humidity get below 70%. If you have the manual it should be in there... along with the right temps and everything else you need to know.
James