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[mleaster]

I have a question about lighting. I have read about the incandescent bulbs and the blue/black for night. I may have a problem. The snake cage is setup in my daughters room, and the lighting is on a timer from 8 to 8, but when my daughter is in her room she turns her light on.
My question is: Should I cover the tank with something when the overhead light is on to preserve the day/night cycle?

Another problem I have is the basking area is getting too hot during the day. (it was up over 100) The lighting I am using is a basking lamp and it does put off heat. Should I just go with a regular light bulb or stay with the basking bulb?

BTW The lighting is over the water dish/water dish is on top of the UTH pad. Is this correct. Please advise.
Thank you

[RonCrawford]

I wouldn't worry about the extra light caused by your daughter turning the lights on at night. Photoperiods become important when you breed ball pythons.

With respect to the hot area getting too hot, try a lower wattage bulb. If you already have a UTH (under tank heater) under the tank, you really don't need the heat lamp on unless you're trying to increase the relative humidity in the cage/tank. The UTH should not be under the water bowl but placed in an area where your ball python can thermoregulate and use the heated area to help digest its meals.

You need a cool and hot end in the cage because they're cold blooded creatures that need access to both environments.

Hope this helps.

[mleaster]

Thanks Ron
Yes this does help.
Was trying to raise the humidity with the light over the water dish. But will not need to now. I just use a wet towel over half the top and it has helped tremendously with raising the humidity.
Thank again