Newbie question..Sorry!

[occalot]

Hi all. I did try and do a search but I cant find what I want to know so please bare with me.
I just picked up my bredli yesterday (YEPEE!!) and I have had the enclosure temps pretty much stable for the past week. I noticed when I checked what my overnight temps were I found that the basking site got up to 36.8. My temp probe is about 3 1/2 inches way from the globe but the slate tile (fixed securely to a terracotta pot!) is about 5 inches or so away from the globe so im assuming that the actual basking temp would have been slightly lower (he loves to sit on the tile). The thing is "solomon" stayed on the slate tile almost alnight (checked him when I got up a couple of times). I would have thought that if it were too hot that he would have moved away.
So, can I assess the enclosures temps by Solomons behaviour or can I do some damage to him with the high temp fluctuations even if he doesnt move away?
Sorry for the long post but I want to take good care of this little guy

[craig.a.c]

Thermostats with the probes aren't very reliable in my opinion. I allways had trouble geting temps right when I was using them. IMIT dial thermostats are they way to go. I am using digital themomators also, much better at geting an acurate temp reading. If he is getting to hot he will move to the cooler end of the enclosure (what is the temp of the cool end?). Try to keep his basking temp around 28 -30. If snakes become to hot they can dehydrate.

[snakes4me2]

I have just put a shelf in one of my enclosures (humidity problem) now i have 3 great spots for my snake. Basking spot 30-32, other side 27-29 and a cool spot under the shelf is about 23-25. He moves from one spot to another all the time.
That doesnt exacly answer your question but thats what i have and it works.

[GreenWillow]

That is SO like a new python owner, to check your bub multiple times throughout the night!

From what I've been led to believe, a healthy python who feels safe and comfortable in his environment will thermoregulate satisfactorily.

PS I was so tempted to remove the "sorry" from this thread title! Never feel like you have to apologise for any question you wish to ask. Ask as many as you like and BAH to those who say you oughten't! Most of us on here also want the best for your little fellow, and are happy to assist!

[craig.a.c]

The only stupid question is the one not asked. Ask as many questions you wish, even if you think they are stupid. This forum is for more experienced people to help the new comers out.

[mertle]

Never say "sorry" for trying to do the right thing by your snakes!

I agree with greenWillow if you ned help or advice, just ask.

I can't help with your perticular prob tho as I don't have a Bredli but I will be taking notice of the answers as I am hoping to get one soon!!

So good on you for asking :-)

[occalot]

Thanks guys for the reasurance. I understand that all the newbie questions can be alittle time consuming but it does help us beginners!
Willow, I must admit I had a terrible sleep!! Ah to have a newborn!!
Craig, Sorry, I ment that I do have a dial up thermostat and a 2 probed themometer. If I turn the thermo down the cool end becomes too cool, 19-20.
I think Im doing something wrong somewhere! It seems like I have been playing with the thermo all night and today! I was hoping just to let Solomon settle down before he saw my great hand come in and out the enclosure! Thanks goodness he is such a good mummys boy!

[mitchyj]

good luck with your little bredli i hope he brings u lots of joy
mitch

[occalot]

He has already!! Just gotta keep him hot/warm/cool/dry/feed/mitefree....
Thanks Mitch. Ill post some pics once he has settled!

[craig.a.c]

What size is the enclosure?

[instarnett]

I noticed when I checked what my overnight temps were I found that the basking site got up to 36.8. My temp probe is about 3 1/2 inches way from the globe.....

Dosent sound too hot for the basking site for a bredli, as long as you have a good gradient and it can move away. Your probe is too close to the heatsource, you want to control the air temperature at the warmer end, rather than basking temp. If you move your probe a bit further toward the cool end, you'll get a more accurate reading of the airtemp, not directly influenced by the heat of the bulb. about 2/3 the way along toward the heatsource is best.
Provided you have a good gradient, your snake can thermoregulate as it needs. Use a thermometer at both ends and trust the thermometer readings, they will not nessesarily match the thermostat setting.
p.s. If your using a reliable thermostat, temps should not be fluctuating wildly at all. Yes, observe your snake, it knows best. If its always in the warm end, it may not be warm enough, if always in the cool end, it may be too warm etc. Ensure a good gradient and the snake will do the rest.

[occalot]

680x450x450mm so its only small. Solomon is a yearling so I was hoping that the tank was good for about 6 months or so. Im just wondering if I would be better off fitting a microclimate (was going to get one anyway for the next tank my hubby is making for me) The original thermostat was broken so this one is new from the shop.

[occalot]

Thanks instarnet. Ive just dug up another thermometer and have that sitting in the middle of the tank. The ambient air is about 27 degrees. I seem to have quiet a range of temps around the tank. I was just worried about the basking temp getting too high. There is so many differing options. Ive read soo many books which all say different things too. I guess you get that with everything though..

[instarnett]

Thats a small enclosure, the snmaller the enclosure, the more difficult it will be to create a gradient. A bigger tank will be easier. Micro climate thermostats are terrific, we use them!
Enjoy your snake

P.s in an enclosure that size it cant hurt to drop the temp at the warm end by a few degrees to be on the safe side, till your bigger tank is ready.

[occalot]

Thanks its good to know that I may not have as much trouble with the bigger tank! Are the micro climates easy enough to fit? My brother in law is a refrigeraton machanic and quiet good at all eletrical thing but the pet shop guy said they are hard to fit and that he may need help. It sounded like a sales pitch to me.