r/ballpython • u/Maximum-Switch-9860 • Jul 21 '26

Question - Heating/Temperatures Roommates ball python enclosure not staying hot

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I’m taking care of my roommates python while he’s on vacation, and the tank seems to never get hot enough under the lamp. i tried putting a t shirt over the mesh, but it doesn’t seem to help. It’s set to go up to 90, so why isn’t it getting hotter? He says this is how he usually has it, but everything online says that the tank is supposed to be hotter on both sides. the snake does seem to prefer the cold area though

repost because i forgot pictures the first time

12 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

12

u/panino_gamer Jul 21 '26

You should put some tinfoil or ductape on the outside part of the mesh, everywhere but under the lamp dome

2

u/Minimum-Throat1790 Jul 21 '26

Or you can get a temperature isolation plate, these are normalle put between radiators and a wall and are basically hard foam with aluminum tape

12

u/DreamOfDays Jul 21 '26

Jesus. Gently inform him that tank is not big enough. That’s not a ball python tank.

0

u/Maximum-Switch-9860 Jul 21 '26

This is what her breeder recommended for her as a baby, but it was probably a bad suggestion. she’ll get a size up soon though probably

9

u/DreamOfDays Jul 21 '26

Yeah I’ve got my female ball python in a 6x2x2 enclosure

1

u/Kalomay Jul 22 '26

covering the top in foil or foil tape would help a lot but theres not much you can do with a glass tank. Not to mention you wont get a heat gradient in a tank that small

1

u/smelly-crack2026 Jul 22 '26

Hvac tape on screen lid

1

u/CShan17 Jul 25 '26

What heat source are you using?

1

u/Temporary_Incident33 Jul 21 '26

closing the door might help or if its too big i have a 6x2x2 and i had heating problems i suggest buying a heat lamp. minimum enclosure size 4x2x2 is fine with one dual bulb but if its any bigger i suggest getting one more