Ball Python Heating & Lighting

Ball pythons are cold-blooded and therefore need an external means to regulate their temperature. This can come in the form of a snake heating pad beneath the tank. Many reptile pet parents rely solely on one or more heating pads to provide the warmth necessary for a snake to thrive. While a heating pad can be a good option for keeping a snake’s terrarium warm, pet parents should be aware that reptile heat mats aren’t quite as reliable as a reptile heat lamp. Therefore, if you prefer to use a reptile heating pad, make sure to monitor temperatures throughout your snake’s enclosure regularly.

In some circumstances, a ball python may not need any reptile light. Temperature and humidity are much more important to their well-being. However, snake lights can be highly useful as part of your terrarium setup. These days, some reptile enthusiasts believe that reptile UVB light might not be necessary for ball pythons. If you do choose to install supplemental lighting, it’s important that you don’t have it turned on continuously. They should run on a 12/12 schedule—12 hours on, 12 hours off. Continuous overhead lighting is not healthy for a nocturnal species like the Ball Python.

A reptile heat lamp is a great way to maintain a consistent and healthy temperature in your terrarium. Snakes rely on outside heat to stay warm, and a snake heat lamp can fulfill this role. Additionally, pet parents can invest in day and night heat lamps to simulate a more natural light cycle for their pets. Night heat lamps use a nocturnal red light to keep a terrarium heated while giving snakes a more restful nighttime experience.

A snake heating pad can be a great way to keep your ball python’s terrarium at the proper temperature. Most reptile heat mats are designed to go on the outside bottom of the terrarium. These snake heating pads usually include adhesive backing, making it easy for pet parents to secure the pad beneath the tank. When using a reptile heating mat, it’s critical to add a layer of appropriate reptile substrate and bedding on the bottom of the enclosure to ensure your snake doesn’t come into contact with the hot glass bottom.