Ambient Heat Help

cbgarner2002 · 04-02-16, 12:13 PM

Hey folks!

So I recently got a baby ball python and I have him/her in a 4 gallon Sterilite tub with 4 inch heat tape for belly heat. The there is a 5 by 7ish area on the floor of the tub that is very slightly raised which was perfect for the heat tape to fit with some breathing room underneath. My issue is that the basking spot on the heat tape is reading anywhere from 89 to 95 depending on where I aim the gun and whether or not the thermometer as it heating or not, which is in range, but the ambient temperature is staying around 73 to 75. I'm reading that it needs to be 80 at a minimum during the day but I don't know how to achieve that as the tub doesn't lend itself to being able to use lighting as a heat source and I don't want to crank up the heat tape any more because I don't want the basking spot to be too intense. Any suggestions? Is 73 much too cold or do you think the snake will adjust?

Thanks

jpsteele80 · 04-02-16, 01:42 PM

Are you placing the probe from your thermostat right on the heat tape, i place mine right on the heat tape and my temperature gun only reads like a 2 degree difference so i know its working properly. Your snake will most likely regulate it self and find a spot thats close to the heat but not right on it a those temps.

cbgarner2002 · 04-02-16, 01:49 PM

I've got the probe directly under the heat tape, yes. It's 4 inch heat tape that is cut to be roughly 5 or 6 inches long so the probe is in the middle of the piece. The snake has been sitting in a hide slightly off of the heat tape with a little part of its body on it. I just want to make sure the ambient temperature being a little lower than recommended isn't going to hurt it. Its my first snake so I want to be a good dad.

cbgarner2002 · 04-02-16, 02:08 PM

Here are pics of the enclosure. Its nothing fancy. :P

jpsteele80 · 04-02-16, 02:12 PM

As long as the snake is getting the belly heat i wouldn't be to concerned with the 73° to 75° ambient heat temps, i have been letting my house get down into the high 60's at night and all my snakes are fine.

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-02-16, 07:04 PM

Yeah, heat tape doesn't provide ambients, you'll burn your snakes belly trying to heat the air. As long as it's 75F in the tub, just having the surface area 85-90F is enough.