If you keep a ball python as a pet, you should add a heating lamp in the vivarium to prevent cold. They can help in keeping the sleeping cycle as required.

Do Ball Pythons Need a Heat Lamp? Yes, Ball Pythons need a heat lamp to maintain an adequate temperature and humidity levels in the Vivarium. You can use a 75 watts lamp or fluorescent lamp and add a thermostat to achieve the desired temperature.

If you want to keep them in your house as your pet, you should provide them with an excessive amount of warmth. They cannot survive if you do not provide them with proper conditions. There are various types of heaters available in the market. They have a particular shape.

Do Ball Pythons Need a Heat Lamp?

You can find these snakes in the central areas of Africa. They spend their whole life in those areas. They develop their body according to the surrounding environment.

This warmth coming from the heater helps them in digesting anything they eat. It helps in maintaining metabolism and also depends on the color of the bulb. 

The skin of these ball pythons is thin and sensitive. It can neither bear an excessive amount of heat nor much cold. Their body is dependent on exterior sources to maintain an adequate level of temperatures. 

These external sources include heat lamps, heat mats, thermostats, or sunlight. They use the energy coming in the form of heat from these sources to digest their food and perform other bodily functions. Their body needs two different temperatures at different times. 

Maintains Adequate Temperature

The temperature that you can maintain in the vivarium is from 77 to 81 Fahrenheit. On the other side, you should keep the tank’s basking value between 87 to 95 Fahrenheit.

You cannot lower the temperature below 74 degrees. Otherwise, it may result in the freezing of your snake. You can add a coconut fiber substrate for pet snakes.

They need to keep them warm as there is no mechanism in their body to produce warmth itself. 

Adequate humidity levels

The humidity factor is vital while discussing the temperature changes in the vivarium. It is cardinal because this will keep your snake healthy. Snakes need sunlight daily, and you should arrange this.

The humidity level in the vivarium must not be greater than 62 percent. Similarly, it should not be lesser than 52 percent. Otherwise, your snake will not survive for long in such poor conditions. It needs a suitable and compatible environment that will fulfill its needs. 

The humidity level should be adequate during the process of shedding. In this process, the python peels off its old skin. It should neither be that much cold nor that much hot. 

Its climate should be habitual. After putting the water dish, partially cover its lid. It will allow some air to move in and out; otherwise, it can cause constipation in snakes.

Also, use a waterproof item to cover its cap so that temperature and humidity stay adequate. Shower the vivarium daily or three to four times a week. The presence of bacteria affects the skin of your python. It also alters the functioning of the digestive system. 

If you follow these steps, then there is a possibility that the humidity level will remain normal. You can also use a humidity checking instrument. It will help you in maintaining proper levels of humidity. 

Types of heat lamps for Pet Snakes

75-Watt Lamps

If you are using a large vivarium for your ball python, then these lamps are one of the best options. They are available for large and small tanks.

You can put these two lamps if the size of the vivarium is large. The average life span of these bulbs is approximately 850 to 1050 hours. 

They expire in 30 days if you use them continuously for 24 hours. You can increase their lifespan by using them for 12 hours a day. They are cheaper than other brands and emit different colors. You can easily afford them. 

Zoo Med Heat Lamp

They have different ranges of power outputs. You can select the bulb depending upon the watts required. It does not disturb the normal sleeping cycle of pythons.

The principal aspect of these lamps is that they give only red light meaning that you can keep it running 24 hours. 

The blue light majorly affects their sleeping cycle while the red light does not affect their health. This red light is eco-friendly. It means that you can also keep it running in your room.

It provides warmth directly to the snakes. They are far more efficient than other bulbs. The white light cannot leak from them because they are made up of hard material and do not break easily. 

Fluorescent lamps

This 26-watt bulb is enough for heating a normal-sized vivarium. It emits UAV radiations that are somehow beneficial for them.

There is a minor disadvantage of using these products as they can emit visible light that can seriously affect your snake’s health. It can stimulate their reproductive system. You can use it day time and turn it off at night.

How to add a heat lamp to snake Vivarium?

Once you buy the perfect bulb, the next step is inserting it into the tank. If the tank is enormous and glass, you can fix the bulb at such a place that there should be at least a 6 to 7 inches gap between the heater and the snake.

It will prevent your ball python from burning. You can also put a screen in between python and the bulb. It avoids skin burns and protects the python. Snakes are not vegetarian and also they like the food at the proper time.

Avoid placing the bulb in a plastic tank. It might burn the whole equipment and may result in a terrific incident. You can use a light invisible cover around the heating bulb, reducing the possibility of an accident.

You can use a bulb holder to hold it or hang it using a wire. You can also fix it on the wall by using screws. 

Another vital thing to remember is that you must put the bulb on either the tank’s left or right sides. One side should be cold while the other one must be warm.

They do not maintain their body temperature; you should be cautious while fixing it. They keep their body warm for a while and then move to a cold area.

They like to move between different temperatures. If the warmth is going out and the tank is not warming, look for any holes or leakage.

Use a hand warmer that will keep it warm for a long. You can never put it in direct contact with python. Place it at one of the corners and use a thin foil of tin and tape. 

There is another device that you can use to control and maintain the standard temperature in the vivarium. This apparatus, known as a thermostat, is very helpful and beneficial. You should keep other pets away from this, otherwise, snakes can kill cats.

It automatically increases or decreases the heat level in the tank. First, you need to read the user manual that comes along with the box of a thermostat. After learning its controls, you need to set the thermostat at a particular condition and leave it. 

The thermostat will do the rest. Place its probe on the substrate. It will tell you the exact temperature, and it will prevent the tank from overheating and from overcooling.

It also shows the climate of the tank on its small screen. 

Can I use a Heat Mat for Pet Ball Pythons?

You can use a mat only if the tank is of glass or steel. Never use it on a plastic or wooden vivarium. If ball python is enormous, then use a larger tank for its better working.

The base layer can also affect the working of the mat. They absorb warmth for some time and then stay in shadows for long. Under tank, heaters are a good option.