heating pad or heated rock for ball python?

Question

i just want to know what one is better for my ball python

Answer 1

A heating pad or a heat lamp. Don't use heat rocks, they are dangerous.

Answer 2

A heat pad and a thermostat. A heat rock is a waste of money. It produces a completely localized area of heat and does nothing to actually warm the enclosure. It's also dangerous and they are notorious for malfunctioning.

A heat pad, when used with a thermostat, is an excellent heat source. You must must must buy a thermostat though - this is mandatory unless you want a severer burned snake. They reach temps of 130 + and are constantly burning snakes because the snake often doesn't realize it's too hot until it's way too late. If you want a fairly good thermostat for cheap, go to amazon and search for a hydrofarm thermostat - they're $30.00 and work fairly well if you're only using it for one enclosure.

If you're going to be heating more than one enclosure or if you just want a really good one and not just a "sufficient" one then go to spyder robotics and check out the herpstat. This is what I use and it's awesome.

You can use a heat pad - by zoo med or one of those companies - or you can use flex watt heat tape. I use heat tape but Im heating several rows of enclosures so it's easier. If you're just heating one, go with a heat pad and the thermostat. Forgo the rock!!!

Good luck.



Edit - this is just in response to the answer by Jennifer w. Heat pads are only dangerous without a thermostat. A head pad attached to a thermostat is one of the best ways to provide a controlled and proper hot spot for a ball python. Because balls need moderate to high humidity, a heat lamp (which is often used in an aquarium) will completely dry of the cage and leave the owner to struggle with humidity issues. Also, a smooth rock placed under a heat light for a ball

Python??? It's not a bearded dragon! Ball pythons don't bask on rocks, they stay hidden in hides all day - hence the under tank heater, placed under it's hide. You then attach the probe from the thermostat to the bottom of the cage, directly above the heat pad and in the hide and you set it to stay at 90 degrees (approx). You also place another hide on the cool side of the enclosure so the snake can go back and forth and thermoregulate.

Answer 3

Actually, you shouldn't use either one. Both can result in serious, even fatal injuries to your snake. The best thing to do is place a heat light above the cage and place a smooth rock underneath the light. Not too close. You should place it where the light shines on the rock and heats it, but make sure your snake cannot reach the bulb. If your house gets pretty cold, you can also use and under the tank heat pad. Put it on the same side of the cage as the heat lamp. The other side of the cage should stay cooler. You want your snake to be able to control his body temp. by moving from one side of his tank to the other, depending on his need at that time. Also, place a water container that is large enough for him to soak in, on the cool side of the cage and make sure cool fresh water is always available.

Answer 4

NO HEAT ROCKS, THE HEAT IS NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED, ITLL BURN IT, USE LAMPS... AND HEATING PADS ARE OK BUT NOT IDEAL .. JUST DO A HEAT LAMP AND MAKE SURE THE WARM SIDE OF TANK IS 80-90 DEGREES AND THE COOL SIDE IS 70-80. HAVE THE LIGHT ON A TIMER FOR OUTSIDE LIGHT PER SEASON LIKE NOW IN FLORIDA THE SUN IS ABOUT 7 AM TO 5 PM SO THATS MY CURRENT SETTING IN TANK AND KEEP THE TANK HUMID LIGHTLY MIST WATER INTO TANK EVERY MORNING THESE SNAKES GET STRESSED EASILY

Answer 5

No one uses hot rocks anymore. They’ve been supplanted by heating pads as the preferred method of providing heat for snakes.

Answer 6

heating pad they dont have nothin to let them no thst thr rock is to hot on their bellys that thing is on their heads n plus if u se a rock ull burn the snakes belly ask a snake breeder

Answer 7

Your question is very important, make no mistake.



I defer to the experts here for a full blown detailed answer.

Answer 8

heated rock..............