Heat pad???

[Ray]

Hi,

Can i use a heatpad for my ball pythons?? And when to use day ore nicht?? I hear ther are different meanings about heatpads??
I hope you guys can help??


Thanks Ray,

[Slannesh]

Yup, heatpads work well. I run mine 24/7 as it gets much too cold for them otherwise, you only really need to worry about dropping the temperature if you intend to breed them, but others are much more knowledgeable about that than I am.

You can use the special 'reptile' pads that the petstores sell or the standard 'human' ones. Just make sure if you get a reptile one to buy a rheostat or dimmer (they do the same thing) as they get much too hot on their own.

If you get a human heat pad make sure it DOESN'T have an auto shut-off feature. A dimmer for this wouldn't be a bad idea either but it's not absolutely necessary as it is for the reptile ones because they have heat settings. Start with low and leave it for a few hours or days, see where the temp is and adjust from there.

In either event make sure you have a good digital thermometer with a probe so you can measure the temp on your hot spot.
For a ball python that should be around 90-95 degrees F.

[Ray]

THANKS!!

Can you also tell me how large the heatpad must be for a cage of.
3,24x1,62x1,62?? And what is a normal temp at nicht??
The temp in my cage at nicht is 73.4 Is this to cold??

Thanks Ray,

[Slannesh]

Your dimensions didn't make any sense

You want the heated part of the cage to be approximatel 1/3 of the total floor area.
How big should that be? Depends on how big your snake is right now. Read through the forums and i'm sure you'll find lots of posts on this subject.

If the warm side is 90-95 in an appropirately sized and heated cage the cool end should get into the low 80's. 73 is probably a bit too low.

[smeagel]

73 is way too low for the cool side. my hot side is at 93 and my cool side is 82.

[mykee]

Ray, unless you're breeding you ball, there is no reason for you not to have the cage at 90-95 24 hours a day. I also cannot interpret your measurements but 25%-33% of the bottom of the cage should be covered with a heat source. Good luck.

[Ray]

Thank you guys!!

I dont know how much my cage is in gallons.And yes it would be great if i can breed them.I hope it wil be working out next year.
Thats why i have so many questions(lol)I hope you guys dont mind If i ask a lot??My cage is 1 meter long 50 cm high 50cm diep.
I hope you can follow this measurements ??

Thanks Ray.ps look at the pics.The one with de bearded
dragon is my son and some of my old beardie cages

[Slannesh]

That size would be fine for an adult ball. it's probably a bit big for a very young one though, so make sure there are lots of hides.

Pics didn't work for me.

As for breeding... next year might work, but you'll want to have a REALLY good handle on the basic husbandry stuff long before you try something like that

[Ray]

Thats strange i can se the pics.Try to open forum from the start.
Than i think you would se them.
I Have a 3 year old pair of B.P in that cage.I hope its big enuf??
I also will make more hides for them.How many hides do they nead?? I'am also shurting for all the info i can about breeding them.
I whas hoping you guys can also help me a litle??

Thanks Ray.

[TheMan]

You have them together in one cage??? If so....VERY BAD IDEA!! Seperate them, they are solitary animals.

[Ray]

Hi

Not anymore. i separated them.Guys what is the best place for a
heatpad??Under the hideplace ore under the water dish??Ore somewhere else?? I hope i dont ask to much??

Thanks Ray.

[sapphire_moon]

on the outside of the cage, under one of the hide spots (creating a hot side and cool side).

Don't breed until you fully understand the basics of ball care, as well as have a vet lined up (or other knowledgeable herper around to help a sick snake), and know the breeding basics as well