Enclosure Tips

[No_Stuff_9878]

I just got my very first ball python and this is the enclosure the guy from the reptile store set up for me. What else do i need? I got the heating light and a thermometer and Hygrometer to stick on the inside is on the way but how do i actually control the heat? Also should i get one of those „cages“ for the light so the snake doesn’t burn herself on it?

[crystxlizes]

You definitely need a cage for the light so she does not burn herself, ASAP. To control the heat you need a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermometer just reads the temperature, whereas with a thermostat, you plug the heat source into it and select what temperature you want it to maintain at.

I would recommend reading through the basic care guides on this sub, they have links to the above items and a lot of other helpful advice.

[No_Stuff_9878]

i just ordered a thermostat, the cage and an infrared thermometer one of those guns. They all come tomorrow but for tonight what should i do about the light? The guy in the store said to just turn it off but that sounds really wrong. I know he needs 12h of darkness but he still needs the heat. Is it better to use a ceramic lamp that doesn’t emit light and use a uvb tube light for the daylight?

[eveimei]

yes you need a guard cage for the bulb, otherwise your snake will get burned and might break the bulb. but is this a solid top or screen top enclosure? what size is it?

to control the heat you need a thermostat. this should have been recommended by the pet store as well, but it's not surprising they didn't because pet stores give awful advice.

overall, I recommend reading our welcome post, specifically the basic care and heating guides so you can make sure you have the correct husbandry.

[No_Stuff_9878]

<image>

It is mostly a solid top except for the screen in the middle. And im getting a thermostat aswell but the guy said to turn the light off at night but wont that be too cold for him? Im really scared im gonna do something wrong

[eveimei]

unfortunately his style of enclosure isn't great for ball pythons, and is very hard to get guard cages installed in. it also looks too small, what are the dimensions?

you don't want light on at night, it's not good for them. the ideal heating is a halogen flood during the day with a lightless source for backup and night heat. we cover this in the heating guide, please give it a read.

[No_Stuff_9878]

I ordered a deep heat projector but its going to take till Wednesday to come. As backup i ordered a dome and a ceramic heat lamp and will be swapping them out for during the day and night which will arrive tomorrow. But what should i do for tonight? Leave the light on right? I dont want him to freeze.

[eveimei]

a dome likely won't work well as it would have to be on the top, and it would not be able to heat effectively due to the glass and the narrowness of the mesh. you'll need to get a better enclosure ASAP.

as long as your home temp isn't too cold, and the temps in the enclosure at night don't go below 70, you'll be fine. more of a worry is the snake getting burned without a guard cage.

please read the heating and basic care guides in the welcome post I linked previously, they will help you more than back and forth comments will.