UTH vs. OTH

[daver676]

This is something that has always bothered me, and a topic that seamingly no two people can agree on. What type of heat is all around better for a ball python. Belly Heat, or Overhead heat?

[telefrag]

well... considering ball pythons spend 80% or more of their time under ground, I dont imagine they bask all that much.

I used to provide basking Overhead heat to ball pythons, and they always seemed nervous and stayed in their hides (these WERE WC), but when I switched them to a heat tape set up under their racks, they all started moving more, and eating better.

Hope that helps.

[John_White]

I would suggest that it would be best to mimic nature and provide both ventral and dorsal heat while maintaining a thermal gradient. A basking spot over a few large flat rocks could provide dorsal heat during daylight hours and ventral heat at night when the light is off. The best way to heat an enclosure often depends on the size & design of the enclosure.