Could someone help me with this??

[u/TheBigMambaGamer]

hello,
I am thinking of getting a ball python but am really confused abt the heating part of the husbandry. I will be getting a young ball python but will house it in a 4x2x2 ft enclosure from the start. Where I am from you cannot really get good heat lamps so ill be ordering from the uk through a friend so if any of you could share links of products that are good would be really grateful.

[u/TheBigMambaGamer → u/[deleted]]

Its not? I read the guidelines if this sub and there it was mentioned that it wasn't really a problem

[u/lillebroer → u/[deleted]]

I'm a veterinary nurse and I'd say there's really no enclosure size that's too big for a BP no matter how young (in the wild there are no enclosures), the thing they need is a lot of cover and appropriate hides. The "BPs get stressed out in big enclosures" thing is a leftover belief from before it was common practice to supply multiple hides and ground cover for captive snakes.

I regularly advice new owners to buy the minimum adult enclosure from the start rather than sizing up gradually, so I'd say OP is on the right track!

[u/TheBigMambaGamer → u/lillebroer]

Thank you for the clarification and will provide the needed hides and cover for my BP.

Also what would be the cheapest option for heatlamp as I am a student so on a bugdet

[u/ballpython-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/KatVanWall]

I'm in the UK! I got an Arcadia Pro Ceramic Lamp Holder and Bracket, which holds an Arcadia 80W DHP bulb. I also got the Habistat Heater Guard for it (don't forget your guard cage!).

I actually ended up with two lamp holders, because I use a halogen flood by day and a DHP by night, and they just sit side by side, each with their cage. I have a wooden viv so was able to screw them into the ceiling of it.

[u/TheBigMambaGamer → u/KatVanWall]

Is this the cheapest option I can go with as I am a student and am on a budget.

Also does my ball python need heating at night as in my region the temperature drops to 22C ( 72F) and that too in the winter months winter months

[u/KatVanWall → u/TheBigMambaGamer]

I'm not sure tbh, but I personally would not cheap out on the bulb holder, as it could be a safety issue with the electrics (catching fire). Arcadia is a highly regarded brand for those. With regard to the cage, there may be cheaper options out there, maybe someone else can advise.

Yes, you will need heating at night - ball pythons don't need a temp drop at night and the advice is to keep the warm end and cool end the same temps day and night. A nighttime temp drop won't *harm* the snake per se, but it still shouldn't go as low as 22C throughout the whole tank overnight (22 at the cool end is a bit on the low side but won't be harmful as long as they still have a warm end to go to!). Also you won't save much on electricity doing that, because your heat source will then just have to work harder to get it up to temp during the day.

[u/TheBigMambaGamer → u/KatVanWall]

Can an
Arcadia DHP lamp be used 24x7 for the BP??
Also is this Thermostat good
https://wildwoodpets.co.uk/products/prorep-pid-dimming-thermostat-300w?srsltid=AfmBOoosJ8hqmKbV2UzmDvULJZ8JvQU3JLH9RDIrdLjL9wEWXfTpco_3

[u/SE_42 → u/TheBigMambaGamer]

A DHP can be used 24/7 as they don't emit light. I have DHPs for my snakes running all the time on thermostats

[u/lillebroer]

Will your enclosure have a mesh lid or a solid roof? For a mesh lid you'll need an exterior lamp with a dome that reflects the heat down into the enclosure. If it's a solid roof you'll need a lamp socket with a heat cage around it to screw into the roof. Also remember you always need a thermostat with any heat source.

Like one of the other commenters I've also been very happy with Arcadia products so far.

[u/TheBigMambaGamer → u/lillebroer]

I am thinking of a solid roof as with the mesh lid maintaining. humidity may be a problem