The big debate for all reptile owners! Heat lamps vs heat mats. Which one is the RIGHT one? Ball pythons are cold-blooded as all reptiles are and they need a source of heat to regulate their body temperature. Most people can’t decide if they should use under belly heat(UBH) from a heat pad or a basking area with a heat lamp.
There are soooo many opinions online about this so how do you choose? Here I’ll give you details on both heat pads & heat lamps and the pros and cons of each.
Heat Mat/Heat Pad (Under Tank Heater)
Heat mats and heat pads are interchangeable in the reptile world. You’ll see people reference it as UBH(under belly heat) or UTH(under tank heater). Here’s what I’ve found about them. *photos open new tabs to an affiliate link that may earn us commission.*
It’s Convenient
Heat mats are sold at every pet store and even big chain stores. They are the first thing that comes to mind for beginner reptile owners. They work by plugging into the wall and they usually have a sticky side to stick onto your ball python enclosure(usually underneath).
Heat Pads Are Easy to Hide
Heating pads are well hidden. This is great for someone who doesn’t want a big bulky fixture to set up.They provide no lighting. This is great for nocturnal animals like ball pythons who need the cycle of day and night to regulate. Go this route if you don’t mind getting a separate light fixture.
Ball pythons love underbelly heat and this provides exactly that.
Heat Pad Issues
There are brands that don’t get hot enough to make a difference in an enclosure. I recommend Zilla. There are some that get too hot too so be careful! Heat mats are made in a way that they get to a certain temperature and stay there which can lead to burns!
You Need More Than Just the Mat
Definitely get a thermostat if you opt for a heat mat. Thermostats will turn the heat mat off once it reaches a certain temperature. The temperature is measured by a probe that sits in the enclosure for an accurate reading. This gives you ease of mind knowing that the heat mat safe and regulated so your pet doesn’t get burned.
On the opposite side of that some people found that they don’t produce enough heat and recommend removing the substrate above the heat mat so that the ball python can get the most warmth. Ball pythons like being cozy, but they move around too so this will be hard to manage. If you have to constantly worry about that area being clear it will cause extra work and worry that you don’t need.
Heat mats don’t create ambient heat though, so if you have a naturally cold or drafty house, you’ll still need to get a lamp to warm up the enclosure.
Heat Mats, Heat Pads Overall
| PROS | -Not visible, inconspicuous -Many size options available -Ready to use -Uses less energy -You can add a thermostat to regulate -Humidity stays vibing |
| CONS | -No heat indicator(unless you have a thermostat) -Loses stickiness -Once its stuck, its stuck -No basking area -Doesn’t change ambient temperature |
Heat Lamp
Lamp heaters are a great option for ball pythons to have a basking spot. Ceramic bulbs are best if you don’t want any light coming from these lamps, but daylight, nighttime, or red light bulbs are also available for your preference.
Get Lit with a Heat Lamp
Heat lamps are a great option to light up your ball pythons enclosure, but you’ll need to turn it off during the night. Too much light can stress out your ball python. They are nocturnal after all and need to have a day and night cycle just like any animal. Ceramic bulbs are a better option to add heat without adding light.
Got Room?
Heat lamps take up more space than a heat pad. Unlike a heat pad, you have to clamp the heat lamp near your ball python’s enclosure or put on a stand. You can get stands specifically for lamps that hang above the enclosure.
Regulating Temps is a PAIN with Lamps
One thing heat lamps are good for that heat pads don’t provide, is raising the ambient temperature. If you are in a cold area this can help a ton. Humidity will decrease faster with a heat lamp, but it can be managed with a few extra mist downs a week.
The temperature the heat lamp creates depends on the wattage of the bulb AND the distance from the enclosure. This makes it harder to regulate the temperature since you would have to check the temperature instead of having a thermostat regulate it.
I recommend using a thermal heat gun to measure the temperature that way you get an accurate reading.
More Maintenance
Sadly, heat lamps can only be used for tank enclosures and not for tubs or snake racks. You’ll need to replace these bulbs more often than you’ll replace a heat mat.
Heat Lamps Overall:
| PROS | -Lights up your enclosure -Creates a basking spot -Raises the ambient temperature -Easily move it around |
| CONS | -Stand or clamp required -Trial and Error finding the right temperature -Needs to be turned off(unless its ceramic) -Enclosure dries out faster |
THE VERDICT
There will always be a split between heating methods for your ball python. Heat lamps have their benefits and heat mats have theirs. Either way In the end it’s really UP TO YOU! Ball pythons are hearty animals and will thrive with either type of heat source you choose.
I have used both methods and found that underbelly is the easiest to work with. With underbelly heat you set it and forget it. For heat lamp fixtures I’ve always had trouble figuring out where to put them, how far to put the bulb, if the bulbs go out(you can’t tell with ceramic bulbs).
For this reason you should opt for underbelly heat, but here’s the thing.
I don’t use a heat mat.
So what do I use for underbelly heat? I use HEAT TAPE. Heat tape is a great option if you want underbelly heat that you can set and forget. The heat tape I use is sold by length that you can wire yourself or you can buy one that’s already set up.
Heat tape has to be used with a thermostat. The thermostat will turn the heat tape off if it gets too hot. Check out these options below:
Want to know how I made my heat tape/thermostat set up? Comment below and let me know!
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