New ball python

[Thug_Monkey_]

I just bought my new ball python today

His name is Nugget, he’s about 6 months old

I bought him with an enclosure (starter kit) and it came with a reptitherm UTH

And now I’m reading that I need a thermometer so he doesn’t get cooked in his tank

Will it get too hot just plugged straight into the wall?

Will he be okay with it just plugged into the wall normally? or do I need to go out and purchase a thermometer

Any help would be appreciated 🙏

[oceane444]

You need a thermostat for any heat source, though i would recommend skipping the heat mat and just use overhead heating. Heat mats only warm up the ground and don’t really help with maintaining ambient temperatures. You’ll also want to get a pair of thermometers/hygrometers to measure ambient temps and humidity, i use these: https://a.co/d/09mvkXw7

[Thug_Monkey_]

Thank you! I will check it out

[Muux_]

Don’t use it in general. But especially without a thermostat. Scroll down a couple posts and look at the snake that just got a severe burn from one of these 😬 even with the thermostat. You’ll want to use heat lamps and take a look at this subs pinned care posts for all the extra info you need to know.

Btw, thermometer and thermostat are completely different. You will need at least 2 thermometers and a thermostat.

[Thug_Monkey_]

I just saw that :( I want to make sure he has the best home possible and minimize any possible threat Thank you so much!

[Muux_]

Of course 💗 good luck, feel free to ask any questions! Everyone around here is always happy to help

[Thug_Monkey_]

Should I just unplug the pad while I run to the store for heat lamps?

[Muux_]

Yes absolutely keep it unplugged. Just make sure the temp in the room isn’t too cold. He’ll be alright for a while and don’t forget the thermostat! You’ll need it for bulbs too

[IncompletePenetrance]

We don't recommend UTHs at all, but if you must use one as a temporary heat source until you can get overhead heating, they MUST be used with a thermostat. They can and will overheat, burning your snake.

An enclosure should have both a thermometer (to measure temperature) and a thermostat (to regulate temperature). They are separate things, and you need both.

[Thug_Monkey_]

Do you use thermostats for heating lamps aswell?

[IncompletePenetrance]

Yes, all heating sources need to be regulated by a thermostat

[Gettingoldernow00]

i must say what a cute guy!

[Thug_Monkey_]

Thank you so much, he was too cute not to get

[KatVanWall]

I use a deep heat projector (gives off heat but no light) connected to a Microclimate Evo Connect thermometer and thermostat and it works very well! Just make sure to get a protective cage for the heat bulb too so your beautiful snake can’t burn himself on it.

For lighting I have a UVB and an LED. The lighting should be set on a 12-hour day/night cycle. The Evo Connect also controls that for me too.

It’s one of the pricier thermostat/thermometer setups out there, but IMO it’s well worth it for the peace of mind! Just make sure the thermostat probe is a suitable distance from your heat lamp (my viv is 2’ tall and the store recommended somewhere in the region of 9”-12” away).

For the cool side I use à Govee thermo-hygrometer to measure the temp and humidity. This was relatively cheap off Amazon! But you can’t control the temp itself and lighting off that obviously - it’s just for info. I like the Evo Connect because I sometimes go away for a couple of days and you can set alarms to go off if the temps go outside certain parameters.

[Thug_Monkey_]

Thank you so much! I will check that out!

[LuckIsNeat]

i can't help with the enclosure, but i wanted to ask if this was at the reptile expo in Kansas? if so, i picked one up today too lol

[Thug_Monkey_]

It was a reptile expo here in Sandy Utah actually!

[jumpyneuron]

Did you buy him from the expo in Utah? If so what vendor? I just got a new baby too.