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 #1832425


Ktr0909
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 Can you use an overhead liht on a ball python.

can you use an over head light and if so can you use a 40 watt or 60 watt household light?



08/15/08  10:47pm

 #1832428


Reflex
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  Message To: Ktr0909   In reference to Message Id: 1832425


 Can you use an overhead liht on a ball python.

Not reccommended. They won’t benefit because they will hide from it, they do better with belly heat, and it is a huge stress to have light shining on them. I have seen plenty of BPs go aggressive and not eat just because of the overhead light.



08/15/08  10:49pm

 #1832798


Brembo
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  Message To: Ktr0909   In reference to Message Id: 1832425


 Can you use an overhead liht on a ball python.

This is highly debatable subject matter. Many breeders don’t use lights, many do. Some owners say lights are no good, others claim lights help. I went down the middle. I have a Zilla combo light that has light and heating. The snake needs light, so the light portion is turned on for daylight then off for night. The heating portion I use depending on the temp needs. If she needs more basking heat, then I turn it on, etc. For me, it just depends on where she spends her time. If she’s in the cool side more, then I don’t need the heating portion. If she’s in the basking side and the temp is a bit too low, then I give her some light and she typcially controls things from there. There’s 3 uth’s on the warm side placed to give a good "glow" to that side. She determines where she sits, either in the middle of this area or near a uth, or in the hide over an uth.

I have a hide in both sides so she doesn’t get direct light or the heat lamp and she moves between hides to govern her own temp better than I ever could. I just sorta give what I can and let her tell me what she needs by observing her. Its still a learning curve for me, but I am working furiously to ramp up fast.



08/16/08  12:13pm

 #1832823


LoftLizard
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  Message To: Brembo   In reference to Message Id: 1832798


 Can you use an overhead liht on a ball python.

BPs are nocturnal snakes... they benefit from regular daylight in your house to keep them regulated.

They do not absorb heat through their dorsal scales, they absorb it through their belly scales... a light is only good to keep your ambient temps at 80 degrees, even then it should be a low watt dark bulb and protected.

They can burn snakes, stress them out, and wreak havoc on your humidity.

Personally of all 3 of my species, BPs are the one snake I would never consider putting a light on.

bruce



08/16/08  12:32pm

 #1832868


Ktr0909
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  Message To: LoftLizard   In reference to Message Id: 1832823


 Can you use an overhead liht on a ball python.

ok i have a heat pad under my 20 gallon tank. i was told no light were needed but recently someone said to breed them turn the lights lower. so just making sure.



08/16/08  01:37pm

 #1832908


Isabela
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  Message To: Ktr0909   In reference to Message Id: 1832868


 Can you use an overhead liht on a ball python.

A heating pad was good enough to keep my temps up on the hot side but i needed to use a 25watt bulb on the cool side. Start with low watts. I found 60 and even 40 to be way too much.



08/16/08  02:27pm


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