Ball Python.....how to heat Vivarium

messyessy

Hello We are new owners of a 4month old Ball python. He currently lives in a small plastic box (36cm x 15cm x 25cm) which is in his larger tank which is about 38 gallon in size (116cm x 38cm x 40cm)Wooden Vivarium He has a heat mat on the floor of his big tank with a sensor and thermostat attached. His plastic box sits on part of this. What we want to do is heat his tank to a suitable temp (28/32) degree. There is a flourescent light attached to the top of the tank but this is just for viewing.
Our question is....how do i heat the volume of the big tank??? Thus heating his plastic box also
Any advice needed I can send you a pic of the set up if you want Viber, Whattsapp, Snapchat Thanks

imokyrok

I've been researching this too as I'm planning on getting a royal. From what I can see it seems to be recommended nowadays to use a ceramic or bulb overhead heater to create a hot spot and a cool spot and not use the mat at all. I've been reading that they can't be trusted not to burn heavy snakes like Royals. This video gives a nice example of what to aim for I think https://youtu.be/s8AmriOm26E

Demonique

Infrared heat bulb is the best way to heat a vivarium

You'll also need a bulb cage to stop snekey being burned by the bulb or pulling it down (I put boas in a tank and they had the heat bulb and it's fitting pulled down within 20 minutes)