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hannah2016
Hatchling
United Kingdom
56 Posts |
 Posted - 21/11/2011 : 07:49:23
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hi my names hannah, im 14 yrs old and some of you may (or may not)know me from the corn snake forum. i havent got a royal but looking into it and doing as much research before do anything. anyways, i was reading through this sites care sheet and came across the heating/lighting issue. i dont know why is confusing me so much but instead of signing up here i posted a question on yahoo!answers. i copied my questions and the answer:
Heat/lighting for royal pythons?
so, i already have a corn snake and so i know what im getting myself into and i have/am doing allot of research.
now that's done with, i would really like to have a royal Python. my parents said they would be happy for me to get it and them pay for it as a christmas present. as iv been researching im starting to get really confused :( if anyone could go through pretty much the whole of the heat lamp thing that would be great. all i really want to know is:
1) whats the best heat lamp to use
2) for a 3 foot viv (going to be divided for a baby into a smaller section until it grows, then it can have the whole 3feet of it.) how many watts should i use? all iv heard of is 100 for a 2 foot viv. is a 100 enough for a 3 foot viv?
3) do i turn it on during the day and turn it off during the night? or does it stay on all the time?
4) will it act as a light or will it be only heat?
5)how much would a descent one cost?
6)will i have to buy the guard separate or will it come with?
if you could provide websites i can order the heat lamp and the guard that would be great :)
plz remember i live in england, so only english websites plz. and sorry if this took you all day to read, im just only used to using heat mats, and this is all new to me.
Thanks in advance! :D
15 hours ago
Additional Details
look on this site www.throyalpython.co.uk the care sheet under heating says not to use heatmats? is it wrong?
14 hours ago
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Rebecca
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Hi flicka. Yes that is incorrect - under tank heat mats are the preferred method of heating a ball pythons enclosure. You need to buy a thermostat to regulate it and you place it under the tank - around 1/3 - 1/2 of the bottom of the tank should be covered with the heat mat. I personally use flex watt tape and hook it up to a herpstat nd. I also have a row of many enclosures to heat so that's why I use the heat tape. You could could tape of a heat mat.
A heat light should/can be a secondary heat source. I use them during the winter because I'm in Canada and it gets to below 40 degrees here some months.
If you're using the heat mat then a 100 watt or even 75 watt would be sufficient to help keep the warm side warm enough. I actually use a 60 watt ceramic heat emitter to supplement in the winter.
Any heat/basking light that you're using should be turned off at night. Your heat mat should stay on 24 hrs and the lights should be on a 10 hour on - 14 hour off or 12-12 on and off. They need a regular light cycle so if you're just using the heat mat then let the snake get it's natural light cycle from regular lighting in the room or windows and allow it go dark at night. If you're really steuggling with keeping it warm enough, you can use a ceramic heat emitter at night because it doesn't provide any light, just heat. The overall temp in the enclosure should drop overnight though and can safely go as low as 70-75 degrees - 70 being on the low end and never ever going below that.
It's your choice whether you use the heat light but if you do decide to use it and only it (no heat mat) then use a higher wattage then 75 - minimum 100 watt probably, however don't take my word on that because the proper wattage is based on many factors like the temp outside the enclosure/in your home and the size of enclosure and type you're using etc. Just get it all set up before the snake comes home and make sure the warm side is around 85-90 degrees with a cool side around 75-80 degrees.
I can't help you with where to shop because I'm in Canada but if you do have reptile enclosures that are made specifically for snakes or even better ball pythons then I would recommend going with one of these rather than the typical fish tank/mesh top aquarium. They hold humidity and heat much better and will be more beneficial for your snake and less work for you in the long run. Here's a link for a Place where I buy enclosures for my ball python - it'll just give you an Idea of what I'm talking about. Obviously you would want to find somewhere in the uk that sells enclosures though and I can't help you there. I keep my babies in the juvenile enclosures for 2-3 yrs and then move them into the adult showcases:
Rickysreptileenclosures.com
If you use an aquarium then try cutting a piece of glass or clear acrylic or something and cover about 1/2 the mesh top. This will aid in keeping the humidity and heat in the enclosure instead of escaping out the top. You need to keep humidity at about 60% consistently. Spray down the Viv once or twice a week too.
Good luck with your new ball python. they're fantastic pets!!
Source(s):
Own 26 ball pythons currently and have owned and cared for balls for the past 15 Years.
13 hours ago
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Asker's Rating:Asker's Comment:thank you very much :) but now the info i thought was right is being contradicted, that its self is becoming confusing :/ thanks anyways
all the answers i got where saying to use a heat mat, so now im more confused then ever. i want to know i will be doing the right thing when seting up the viv so any help would be great.
sorry if it takes you all day to read, i just really need some help now. thanks in advance  |
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Tawfik47
Fully Grown Royal
Czech Republic
1584 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 08:47:40
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Hi and welcome to the Royal forum Hannah 
about questions 3 and 4,IMHO it's preferable to put the snake's enclosure in a place where the sun can reach to make the snake know the day and night time, the lamp's purpose is heating so it should be on 24/7, an IR light or ceramic bulb are most common because thay don't stresses the snake and they are good source of heat.
I'll leave the rest of questions for someone live in england and is more expert than me.
Royals are great snakes you will be happy to have one |
1.0.0 Common Boa - Revo CB13
I had a royal python (Blitz) for two years for those who are wondering what I'm doing here with my boa :D |
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markmifsud
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
534 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 09:21:19
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They do not need light of any type, thats for your viewing pleasure only.
If you are going to divide the 3f viv up, please make sure you have the stat in the same section as the heat source and snake :).
I think many struggle with keeping 90f with a 100w ceramic (try 150W), but a 100w IR should be ok. Ceramic heaters give off no light at all, the IR heaters do give off a fair amount of RED light so not ideal if your going to house them in your bedroom.
They will all need a bulb guard and they will not come supplied with them.
try surrypetsupplies or here http://www.acereptiles.co.uk
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1.1.0 Pastal Ball
1.0.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
0.1.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
Bromley. SE London |
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hannah2016
Hatchling
United Kingdom
56 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 10:55:45
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| thanks but that still doesnt really answer my big question, that is, should i use a heat mat or a heat light/bulb thingy. |
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markmifsud
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
534 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 11:04:20
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| Heat bulb/ceramic, mats are only suitable when royals are young |
1.1.0 Pastal Ball
1.0.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
0.1.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
Bromley. SE London |
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boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2025 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 11:35:53
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1) whats the best heat lamp to use
2) for a 3 foot viv (going to be divided for a baby into a smaller section until it grows, then it can have the whole 3feet of it.) how many watts should i use? all iv heard of is 100 for a 2 foot viv. is a 100 enough for a 3 foot viv?
Depends..mainly on house temps,but nothing under 100watt.As for the person on yahoo,looks like they keep theirs in rubs,As they state they have 26 royals and i can't see them having 26 3 foot vivs.plus he's from Canada,they do things different to here.
3) do i turn it on during the day and turn it off during the night? or does it stay on all the time?
You need a stat,which stat depends on which type of bulb you go for,heat is left on.
4) will it act as a light or will it be only heat?
Again depends which bulb you get.
5)how much would a descent one cost?
£15 to £20 for Ceramic and,£5 £7 for Infra-red bulb.
6)will i have to buy the guard separate or will it come with?
Yeah,the outlay is more expensive,but once you have it all the bulbs do last.
As for lighting,thats really upto you.Will the snake be housed in a room thats not used much?Arcadia Natural Sunlight Lamps are good,or an exo terra 2.0 strip.
http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/index.php
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/ |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
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7384 Posts |
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boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2025 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 11:41:44
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quote:
Originally posted by hannah2016
thanks but that still doesnt really answer my big question, that is, should i use a heat mat or a heat light/bulb thingy.
if you do get a very young snake,i wouldn't bother with a 3 foot viv at first.sealing parts of it of etc.get a rub and heatmat with a mat stat.
so mats for rubs.bulbs etc for vivs.
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1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
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hannah2016
Hatchling
United Kingdom
56 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 16:27:12
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| thanks everyone, so really i need to be getting a Ceramic bulb, right? and which stat is best for that? do i have to use a heat mat for it when its a baby or can i just use the bulb? also is it fine i devide up the 3 foot, or do i really need a rub? iv got a smallish one, so i think a royal would be too big(it was for my baby corn snake so it had to be small) :/ sorry for all the questions, i just want to be a 100% sure before i even think about getting anything. |
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markmifsud
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
534 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 16:56:23
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| If your going to house in the reduced size viv, then get a ceramic and a habbistat dimming or pulse stat or similer |
1.1.0 Pastal Ball
1.0.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
0.1.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
Bromley. SE London |
Edited by - markmifsud on 21/11/2011 16:57:13 |
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boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2025 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 18:32:05
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quote:
Originally posted by markmifsud
If your going to house in the reduced size viv, then get a ceramic and a habbistat dimming or pulse stat or similer
This,but if you divide the viv,that might give you heating problems.As placement of the holder/ceramic would be setup for the whole 3 foot.Might not get a good gradient,if using a 100/150 watt bulb in half the space.Even if you turn the stat down,you still need it at 32/33.unless you use a lower wattage bulb,then buy a 150 watt when you take the divide down.hope that makes sense lol.
Hence why i said,if it's a very young snake a rub would be easier. |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
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hannah2016
Hatchling
United Kingdom
56 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 18:42:51
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| im fine with buying different watt bulbs. what wattage would i need if i halfed the 3 foot? and would this be a good enough size for a baby? |
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hannah2016
Hatchling
United Kingdom
56 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 19:00:25
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| and if you know, how fat will the snake grow? i know it depends on the sanke but, from your experience, how long would i have to wait till i can give it the whole 3 feet?? (the viv will be 3ft by 1 1/2ft and 1 1/2ft) |
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 19:23:06
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| i moved my pastel female into her 3ft viv when she was 2.5ft but i left the smaller viv set up just in case she didn't like the space.i did pack the viv out and she was fine but every snake is different |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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MarkSue
Hatchling
United Kingdom
99 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 19:39:19
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quote:
Originally posted by hannah2016
and if you know, how fat will the snake grow? i know it depends on the sanke but, from your experience, how long would i have to wait till i can give it the whole 3 feet?? (the viv will be 3ft by 1 1/2ft and 1 1/2ft)
as a ageneral rule, the snake should be the length + 1/2 width of the viv.
for example, if the viv is 3ft long X 2ft wide then its ideal for a 4ft snake.....i think 
or just fill it with lots of hiding places
ps...
try not to get to flustered with all the "it must be this, it must be that",,snakes are very robust really. as long as you are there or there abouts everything will be fine. there`s lots of very good advice on here as on the corn forum. take some advice from who you are getting it from as well.
Just to put your mind at rest, iv got a young royal and he`s in a 3ft viv with just a mat, and he`s as happy as a pig in pooh , although he will be getting a light (and guard) soon. |
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hannah2016
Hatchling
United Kingdom
56 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 20:23:16
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| thanks for all the help everyone, not stressing at all, just wanted to make sure i was doing right by the snake. getting really excited!! Cannot wait!! |
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MarkSue
Hatchling
United Kingdom
99 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 20:30:05
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| I forgot to add 1 thing.........you wont be happy with just 1 royal |
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boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2025 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2011 : 22:34:37
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quote:
Originally posted by hannah2016
thanks for all the help everyone, not stressing at all, just wanted to make sure i was doing right by the snake. getting really excited!! Cannot wait!!
I've put young snakes in large vivs before,without divides etc.But it all depends on the snake,Just be ready to move him/her if it freaks out in the viv.This all depends on how young the snake is which you get. |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
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hannah2016
Hatchling
United Kingdom
56 Posts |
Posted - 22/11/2011 : 07:47:37
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quote:
Originally posted by MarkSue
I forgot to add 1 thing.........you wont be happy with just 1 royal
i know i wont be happy with just one, dont tell my mum but thats why iv been drawing up plans to move my whole room around so i can fit in more vivs at a later date it wont give me much room, but i dont mind, i just want more and more!!  |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 22/11/2011 : 15:00:25
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Hi Hannah, welcome to this forum. If you are going for a vivarium then I wouldn't bother with heat mats as they can only be used when a Royal is very small, as soon as they get some heft the chances of them burning themselves increases greatly (a process called thermal blocking, basically the heat gets trapped between the viv bottom and the snake bottom and the mat overheats, this can happen even with a stat). Start as you mean to go on and just set up a bulb heating system. There are 2 types suitable for Royals, infrared and ceramic bulbs.
**Infrared** Gives off a very gentle red glow and doesn't disturb the Royal during the night but might disturb you.
**Ceramic** Gives off no light at all and is probably the best type of heating for a Royal as they appreciate the dark.
Both bulbs will need an appropriate guard, I personally like ProRep guards, shop around as they vary in price a lot but i tend to use these though and good price at the moment too http://www.livefoodsonline.co.uk/shop/article_621/ProRep-Spot-light-Bulb-Guard-Black.html?shop_param=cid%3D44%26aid%3D621%26.
I use Komodo bulbs as they last forever, they are a bit more expensive but are very good. I use ebay to buy them.
Infrared http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Komodo-Spot-Bulb-Red-Infrared-Bulb-/170636483352?_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4376448122077790234#ht_500wt_1054
Ceramic http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Komodo-Radiant-Heat-Ceramic-Heat-Lamp-/180662585257?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&var=&hash=item6fc3cc69c8#ht_557wt_1037
Thats pretty much it, my personal preference is ceramic, I've just converted to them, the one thing you will need if you choose ceramic bulbs though is a ceramic bulb holder, the bulb will melt a plastic bulb holder, I use this shop for all my viv fittings and have bought 4 of these and they are very good. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CERAMIC-ES27-E27-SCREW-bulb-heat-lamp-holder-1kw-RATED-/320718153102?pt=UK_Light_Fittings&hash=item4aac4aa58e#ht_1436wt_1037
Sorry for all the huge links, I dont need to shrink them.
Oh and this thread is well worth a read, its got so much useful info in it.
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5183
Good luck and any questions, just ask.
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hi, im new and got a question!!
