The heat source is a necessary item for the terrarium of the ball python. You must keep an eye on the way of living when you are adopting a ball python. To make sure that it gets the most comfortable and healthy environment in its terrarium you need to keep the provision for light, heat, and substrate.
Heating is often provided by the heat emitter bulbs but sometimes those are not enough to provide heat on the winter days or in areas that are mostly cold throughout the year. Thus heating pads are important for keeping the snakes in good health.
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Why ball python needs heat mats?
As ball pythons are categorically reptiles, their body is unable to produce the necessary heat. These cold-blooded creatures need the heat from their exterior environment and that is why you should keep some heat source handy at their terrarium.
The heat mats should be kept under tanks to keep the atmosphere within the terrarium sufficiently warm for the ball pythons.
Some heat mats are there that we feel may come in handy when you think of taking care of your pet ball python.
1. BN Link Digital Heat Mat:
This product comes with a thermostat controller which makes it an efficient choice for the ball python enclosure. You do not have to switch it off and on to keep the terrarium’s temperature at a fix. When the air will be too heated, this gadget will be shut off and later will be shut on. The manufacturer has done a great job by offering this super slim and handy gadget for terrariums. The setting up process is easy and your ball python will have a great and comfortable life with this heat mat inside the shelter.
This one comes with LED power indicating lights, making it easy to understand the temperature and other details that this mat shows. Also, you can check these features in the darkness. There are three buttons with the right interface so you can operate this mat easily. The digital display of the temperature comes with both Fahrenheit and Celsius degrees so you can fix the right temperature for your loved snaked. The convenient tab for hanging makes it even a better gadget than most regular heating mats, as you can easily fix it within the terrarium.
Pros:
- LED display
- Both unit of temperature available
- Three buttons with a legible interface
- Thermostat attached
Cons:
- No manual available for troubleshooting
2. Tikaton Reptile Heat Pad:
This is a heating pad to be kept under the tank of the ball python. You can adjust the temperature of this heat pad manually and keeps a check on the environment inside the terrarium. This heat pad works much smoother and it can give the ball python life of safety and comfort. The product is made from PVC material and that makes it a long-lasting one. Also, you can clean it easily and thus you can maintain the hygiene in a much better way.
This gadget is an energy-saving one. You can keep it all day and night on and yet it will not add up to your electricity bill quite much. Only 8 watts is all it needs to run 24×7 in a day and that is why it has been chosen by many ball python owners. The heating efficiency of this product is praiseworthy as it comes with heating wires of supreme quality. Connect it with the power source and then you should use the tape to fix it with the terrarium or it will become a problem later.
Pros:
- Long-lasting
- Washable
- Pocket friendly
- High-quality heating wire
Cons:
- Not efficient for a large tank
3. Zacro Reptile Heat Pad:
This is an under-tank heater to be used for the tanks of baby ball pythons. This one does not have the solo capacity of heating up a large tank for a fully grown ball python, but in case you have attached different sources of heat like a bulb, etc. then you can add up this heat mat for the extra heat. Along with high-quality PVC material, this heat mat comes with a soft surface. This is why this one can be called a flexible product. This heat mat is washable and you can clean it to make it bacteria or dust-free. It uses less energy to work non-stop which means you do not have to pay a large sum for the electricity bill.
For desert creatures and reptiles this is a superb solution. It will keep the atmosphere warm and cozy. Also, the heat emits from the heat mat will keep the ball python snake in a much healthy condition. This heat mat has been proven to be a helpful item when your snake is not eating properly or feeling stressed. It will make the snake feel at home and they will be reenergized.
Pros:
- Washable
- Low on energy consumption
- Pocket-friendly price
- Long-lasting PVC make
Cons:
- Not ideal for large ball python terrarium
4. Focuspet Under Tank Heater:
This is a waterproof heating pad that makes sense when you use it under the tank of your ball python. There can be no harm done when a drop of water spills on this pad while misting the cage. This heating pad will keep your ball python active and energetic throughout the day and also will improve its health. The adhesive material used in this heating pad will be enough to keep it stuck at the base of the tank. There will be no chance of melting of wires or cause of an accident.
The manufacturer has used high-quality heating wires and thus you will get a good quality heating product at a budget price. The insulation layer takes care of the wires and the heating is done successfully through the whole terrarium. After switching it on, the cage will be warm within a few minutes. Double-sided tape can be used with this heat mat to fix it with the base of the ball python terrarium.
Pros:
- Great adhesive used
- Good insulation
- Takes few minutes to heat up
- Good quality wire material
Cons:
- No thermostat attached
5. iPower Reptile Heating Pad Terrarium Heater:
This is another pocket-friendly option for first-time ball python owners. You can get it at a budget price and efficiently heating the terrarium of your ball python with the smart PTC heating material. The insulation technique of this heating mat will provide an unhindered warm environment as the heat will not be wasted even after the mat will be switched off. Also, this mat is power-saving and soon it reaches the desired temperature level.
The product comes with a power cord and standard plug so you do not have to use any adapter with this product to make it work. The 3M adhesive paper with this heat mat makes it well gripping and it keeps stuck with the base once it is adjusted there. However, do not try to stick it with any wooden platform as this adhesive paper only works on a glass base.
Pros:
- Works fine with small shelters
- Heats up fast
- Good quality adhesive provided
Cons:
- Not good for wooden base.
Common Faqs about heat mats
Should the heat mat be switched off at night?
There are stats in the heat mat and that switch the mat off when the atmosphere gets heated. Again it starts getting cold and the heat mat gets switched on.
Which temperature is too much for the ball python?
Do not overheat the heat mat, and check the thermomstats for gauging the temperature. The too hot interior can be fatal for ball python and thus you should never exceed the temperature of the heat mat more than 95 degrees.
Are heat mats good for ball pythons?
If you are staying in the colder part of the world then you can of course adapt a heating pad for the terrarium of your ball python. There is no harm in keeping it on the floor of the terrarium as that way it will keep the environment warm and also will keep the ball python satisfied. There are some pros and cons of the heat mats, like any other product, but you should always keep that using a gadget intelligently is going to help us anyway.
How hot the heat mat should be for the ball python?
The ideal temperature for the ball python should be 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit when it is kept at the cooler side of the terrarium. On the warmer side, you can warm it up to 92 degrees Fahrenheit. The tanks should be wide enough to have two different levels of temperatures in two various corners of the habitat. The mat should be attached to the bottom of the terrarium to provide adequate heat to the ball python.
How to know if the ball python is cold?
Ball pythons take the heat from the exterior, and if the heating source is not working properly, then it will start getting colder. When the heating source is not working rightly, no place in the terrarium will be hot enough to keep the ball python warm. This way it will be difficult for the ball python to stay healthy and content.
If you touch them at that point you can perceive their cold bodies and also you will see them coiled up, and not in the stretched form. This sign should not be ignored, and you should immediately check the heating source. Also, you need to install a thermometer inside the terrarium to make sure that your adorable pet ball python is having the best environment in captivity.
Is constant heat good for ball pythons?
The hot area is what keeps the ball pythons comfortable. As we have already mentioned, no snakes can produce heat within their body, they need to get it from outside. So the environment and items present in their surroundings will provide them with heat. That is how they can stay alive. The outside heating source can keep them healthy and also keep them warm from inside.
Should the basking spot be different than the rest part of the terrarium of ball python?
Yes, specifically the basking spot should be hotter than any other corner of the terrarium. For ball pythons, it should be 90 degrees Fahrenheit approximately. Snake owners often find it easy to handle with heating mats and thus they put the heating mat at the basking spot under the tank to keep the tank comfortably warm for their reptile pets.
When can you know if the snake is feeling too hot to be comfortable?
As snakes are not much expressive, it is hard to gauge when they are not feeling comfortable in the interior of the cage. But you can guess that the snake is not okay in its terrarium when it behaved differently than it does when it is in good health.
Moving away from the basking spot and finding the cooler spot more comfortable is a sign that can help you to understand that they are not feeling good in the heat of the terrarium. You should check the thermometer for the temperature and also fix the heating source to make sure that the snake gets the right temperature to stay healthy.
Can too much heat kill ball pythons?
Snakes are usually not much harmed by the heat. Even when they are in the forest or in the wilderness, they can survive the heat waves by digging burrows and going under them. But in the terrarium, there is not much space or facility to go into the burrows. So you need to keep a check on the temperature level of the terrarium. Too much heat inside the terrarium can damage the organs of the snake and it eventually dies, if not taken proper care in the right time.
Conclusion:
Ball pythons are much sensitive regarding the temperature and humidity in their shelters. So when you try to keep them as pets, you must be sure about the sources of these two factors.
Not only that, keeping the sources working fine and maintaining the health condition of the ball python good is a must for all the sake owners. You should be able to choose the right equipment to provide the snake with the best possible facility in its captivated condition.
