Keeping the ball python as a pet need some equipment, as the owner needs to imitate the natural atmosphere of the original habitat for the snake. So the actual environment of the jungle or desert needs to be replicated via various electronic and manual gadgets.
Heat is a necessary part of the ball python’s life. You have to be informed about the necessary temperature for the ball python. If you live in a warm zone then the inner area of the house may be of a similar temperature as required by the ball python. You can decide if your ball python will need the artificial heat source for your pet.
The light bulbs that we use at our home often produce a good amount of heat which is fine for a small terrarium or glass tank. So when you are keeping a baby ball python in a 20-gallon tank, you can manage to keep that warm by placing the light bulb used for household use. But when the python gets mature, you need to shift it to a larger tank which may need a separate heat lamp to keep the interior warm for the python.
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Top 6 Heat Lamps For A Ball Python
There is a wide array of heat lamps available in the pet shops, so you should be knowledgeable about the brands and the features of the probable heat lamps that you are going to buy. We are helping you out by providing a list of heat lamps that are trustworthy, favoured by many snake owners, budget-friendly and long-lasting.
1. Omaykey 100W 2 pack ceramic heat lamp:
This 100W ceramic heat lamp offers infrared ray which allows the terrarium to be heated from corner to corner. This is a black heat lamp that offers no light, so you can easily keep it on at the night time. There will be no breaking in the sleeping or resting cycle of the ball python with this heat lamp on. There is one digital thermometer included in the package which makes sure that you do not buy a separate thermometer to keep a check on the temperature of the cage.
This heat lamp can be easily installed. The standard porcelain E27 screw socket is there where you can screw it. The use of porcelain makes sure that it does not melt, the way plastic does when heated. You can keep the bulb on for 24 hours as no light emission will occur from this lamp. For daylight, you have to get another bulb in the terrarium. This is a very efficient product and it will work for 9000 to 15000 hours.
Be cautious of not touching the bulb surface when it is working for hours, as the surface remains really hot. Do not try to test the temperature before it is switched off for at least 40 minutes. The place where you place it should be far from the reach of your ball python, unless it may get burnt.
Pros:
- Ceramic make
- No light emission
- Great working hours
- Thermometer included
Cons:
- No temperature controller
2. Wuhostam 2 pack 100W infrared ceramic heat lamp:
This is a pocket-friendly option for heat lamp and that too from a reputed brand like Wuhostam. You will get heat emitter bulb which offers no light. The bulb is made of solid ceramics which can withstand a good amount of heat without getting damaged. This one is counted as one of the best heat lamps for the ball python terrarium by most of the users. A traditional light along with this ceramic heat emitter will be enough to keep the cage toasty and warm for the pet snake. The ceramic socket and fixture will allow the heat to be passed off so there will be doing damage done due to the heating process.
The brand is not much known to many pet owners but that does not mean that they compromise with the quality. The products work for months and it will last longer than many branded heat emitter bulbs. Make sure not to touch them when they are on as it takes a long time for the bulbs to get cooled down.
This one provides ample heat to keep a mature python warm in its glass tank. This one can be easily fixed in the terrarium with the help of a screw. It is a well-made product which will provide the snake heat for months to come.
Pros:
- Long-lasting
- Pocket friendly
- Ceramic socket
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Too hot for baby python
3. Zacro reptile heat lamp 100W:
The 100W bulb for heat emission is a good choice for the ball python cage. This one comes quite easy on the pocket so you can get it easily when you are getting the ball python for the first time. This can be put on for 24 hours non-stop as it will keep working without getting damaged. The emitter comes with 99% thermal efficiency which ensures that you will only provide your reptile pet with a good range of heating. The digital thermometer included in this package ensures that you do not have to buy this item separately and thus will be saving a few bucks.
The heat radiation feature works supremely in the porcelain body. The design is flat-faced which is pretty perfect for the radiation of infrared rays. This is much long-lasting than the conical designs so you should choose this over other heat-emitting lamps. The filament of the bulb is totally covered in the ceramic casing so you will not face any sudden accident. The pet python can sleep when it feels like the bulb will offer no light, so the day-night schedule will remain intact.
Pros:
- Great for ball python cage
- Useful flat-faced shape
- Porcelain fitting
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- Need a daylight emitting bulb along with
4. BOEESPAT ceramic heat emitter:
This heat lamp works great when you choose the right potential for your pet’s cage. This heat emitter bulb is available in various amounts of powers like 60W to 150W. You can get heat from this ceramic lamp without getting any light. The sleep pattern of your ball python will not be disturbed with this bulb fitted in the cage. This one can be easily handled and you can make it work with the help of a screw. It can work for 15000 hours or more which shows that your money will have its worth. This is a thermal efficient bulb which saves the money while you use it, as it works smoothly while consuming less power.
The secret of this long time service life is the longer filament which is allowed to be put in the spiral surface design. The filament resistance gets increased due to the extra length so the heating area also gets expanded. The time taken to get the bulb heated is really less so you will get fast warming up after switching on the power source. The heating speed is increased due to the nickel-chromium allow which is high on resistance. Also, the heat is spread in a wider area as the dissipation gets wider and power consumption gets lessened. The high-quality pure pottery clay is used to make this bulb. This makes the bulb anti-crack and it also does not get damaged even when the humidity in the terrarium is high.
Pros:
- Anti crack
- Energy efficient
- Heat efficient
- Heats up really fast
Cons:
- Some users complained about its longevity
5. Fluker’s 22800 Red Heat bulb:
This is yet again a pocket-friendly item for the ball python cages. You will get this branded product for a budget price. This bulb comes in a variety of watts, so you can choose the right one based upon the requirement of the baby python cage or a mature ball python terrarium. This incandescent light bulb will offer nighttime light along with heat. The colour of light it emits is red so it will help the snake to stay asleep. The appropriate environmental temperature range is maintained by the bulb when you use it inside the terrarium.
You can use it after sunset as it will give a light red glow and that will help the ball python to relax. Some users complain that it is underpowered and will burn out fast, but if you check the power option of the bulb before you buy and use the right sized bulb for the adequate terrarium then this problem can be sorted. This lamp is proven to bring life to sick and depressed pets, as many users have stated that when they used this lamp in the terrarium, their pet reptiles have become rejuvenated. Some even think these are better than the black heat emitters without any light. The mild light that it emits, allows you to see the position of the ball python at night. So you can be sure if they are feeling ill or feeling uneasy.
Pros:
- Mild red light emission
- Adequate quantity of heat emission
- Long-lasting
- User friendly
Cons:
- Can break easily
6. DGE reptile heat lamp bulb:
This one is a bit high priced in our list of bulbs, but it offers some accessories which make the price seem worthy. There is a power cord along with heat lamp, screw socket, digital thermometer and case. You will be saving money big time as these equipment are not needed to be bought separately. This bulb takes a few minutes to be installed. You can fix it inside the terrarium or hung at any point you think is suitable. This is a small volume product and it can be used successfully to supplement the heat that is much needed for the better health of the ball python.
There is a detachable cage with the removable top structure inside which the lamp can be placed. This is a safe way to keep the bulb inside the terrarium as it will never come in direct contact with the ball python and burn it. The bulb is high-temperature resistant so no chances of accidents are there. This bulb will successfully keep the ambient temperature of the terrarium intact without providing any light. So you can keep the bulb on even at nights. But make sure to keep it off for a few hours in the day as it will increase the longevity of the bulb.
Pros:
- Can work 10000 hours
- A safe choice for terrariums
- No chance of accidents
- Digital thermometer included
Cons:
- Smells when used for the first time.
What is the other equipment needed for the ball python to keep the temperature consistent?
A thermometer is required to keep the ball python’s cage temperature at a fixed point. Also, it is needed to check if the heat source is radiating heat in the proper amount or it is the time to replace the old source. To monitor the heat sourcing from the heating pad, a thermometer is mandatory.
Also, a stabilizer can be added which will make heat stay even after the heat source is switched off. Especially during night time, the stabilizer works fine and keeps the terrarium comfortable and cosy.
Is heat lamp better than a heating pad?
The heating pad offers a unique facility and that is, offering no light when offering heat. So if you are opting for a heating pad that makes sense. Then you do not have to worry about the day and night cycle. But there are certain issues with a heating pad. It offers heat but pythons often sit too close to the heating pad, resulting in skin burn. This danger can be avoided when you are using heat lamps. As these ones hung above, there will no chance of getting burnt from the lamp.
For the day-night cycle, you can use two heat lamps. One bulb can be switched on at a go for 12 hours. The daylight will offer heat and light whereas the other one will offer night time glow. There are certain heat lamps which offer red light that work better for the night time. The natural day-night cycle is necessary to be maintained for the ball python to keep them stress-free.
Are heat lamps bad for ball pythons?
Ball pythons prefer to stay in a heated area, and they are often seen soaking the sun rays in the wilderness. So when you keep them in captivity, you need to organize for heat sources. The commonest heat source is a heat lamp and that offers them belly heat, which is needed by them. They prefer belly heat to regular basking. So no, heat lamps are not bad for the ball pythons, unless they are hung too closely in the ceiling or walls of the glass tank.
How long the heat lamp needs to be switched on?
If you are using the heat lamp which emits light as well as heat, you should keep it on for 12 hours a day. For the rest of 12 hours, the light should be kept off, as that will distinguish the difference between day and night times for the ball python. It will be active or rest according to the cycle, which is very much required for the better health of the ball python.
How much heat is needed for ball pythons?
The basking area of the ball python cage should be 90 degrees whereas the rest area of the cage can be of 80-degree range. The thermal gradient needs to be maintained as the ball python loves to stay in moderate heat most of the time but needs belly heat sometimes.
Does UVB light do any good to ball pythons?
Ball pythons or any other kind of snakes do not require UVB lights to be particular. This ray is good for many other reptile creatures but for snakes, it is not mandatory. However, this ray does not hurt them. If you have already installed UV ray source in the enclosure of the ball python then you can let it be there. Also, you may see some betterment in the colouration of the ball python. It may seem active on the days when you put the UV rays switched on.
But if you are a first time and have bought the snake recently, then you can be assured that there will be no health deterioration due to the lack of UV ray source.
Where to put a UV lamp in the terrarium?
If you have bought the UV lamp for the purpose of a ball python, then it is better to be fixed at the terrarium of the pet. It should be hung or placed anywhere that is 10 to 12 inches far from the position of the ball python. Also changing the bulb every six months is necessary.
There seems to be no change in the radiation of the UV rays as the ray is apparently invisible. But the spectrum finishes after a certain period and then you may change the bulb. The package sometimes contains a message that the bulb will last longer than that period, as the manufacturer claims after testing the bulb. There seems to be no problem when the source is used longer than 6 months.
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