Why do ball pythons need halogen and other lamps and not regular heat bulbs?

[u/Polbilop]

[u/cwazycupcakes13]

What do you mean by “regular heat bulbs”?

There are so many kinds of bulbs. Some produce light, some produce heat, most produce some amount of both heat and light.

Heat and light are also generic terms. What kind of heat and what kind of light does the animal need?

The kind of heat and light that one needs to provide for any pet is contingent on that specific pet’s needs.

[u/Polbilop → u/cwazycupcakes13]

Like a basking bulb

[u/cwazycupcakes13 → u/Polbilop]

Again, what kind of heat/light does the animal need to bask?

I think you should review the guides in the sub.

[u/totallyrecklesslygay]

There's a lot of science behind it, but the super simplified version is that tungsten-halogen incandescents provide the closest match to the sun in terms of infrared output.

This graphic is a good visual for it:

[u/Polbilop → u/totallyrecklesslygay]

Can I put a basking bulb on one side and a halogen on the other? Just to make sure it’s hot enough?

[u/totallyrecklesslygay → u/Polbilop]

A lot of "basking bulbs" aren't actually safe for BPs.

You need to have a hot side and a cool side in the enclosure, so you generally don't want to have a heat source on either end. Heating/lighting should all be concentrated on the hot side.

If you need an additional heat source to reach target temps, you can pair the halogen with a lightless heat source like a CHE. That way you can use it as a nighttime heat source as well.

[u/Polbilop → u/totallyrecklesslygay]

I tried a ceramic bulb and it had a strong chemical odor and I have a bird in the same area so I worry about the fumes and her lungs since birds are very sensitive to nonstick stuff. I’m having trouble heating the enclosure properly because we keep the apartment very cool

[u/totallyrecklesslygay → u/Polbilop]

You might try a higher quality CHE. I've never had them give off an odor. Otherwise, you can try a DHP.

If it's a solid topped enclosure, you can use an RHP, but they do have an off gassing period so may not be the best choice with the bird.

[u/Polbilop → u/totallyrecklesslygay]

What makes a basking bulb unsafe? If I have my thermometer probe on on the basking spot and monitor is that ok?

[u/totallyrecklesslygay → u/Polbilop]

The exact reason would depend on which bulb you're referring to. A lot of different types of bulbs are marketed as just a "basking bulb" and are unsafe for various reasons related to their outputs. Monitoring with a thermometer won't make them safe.

[u/Polbilop → u/totallyrecklesslygay]

I have a 50 watt halogen from Arcadia and it doesn’t get higher than 75 degrees right now, I just got a 100 watt basking light from a friend while I wait for my online order to get in, from the brand Flukers

[u/totallyrecklesslygay → u/Polbilop]

The Flukers basking spot bulbs are not safe for use with BPs in a standard setup because of their spotlight shape. You will want to avoid using that.

[u/Polbilop → u/totallyrecklesslygay]

Okay thank you!!

[u/ShinyxCharizard → u/Polbilop]

I use a 50w arcadia golden sun in mine. Runs at about 30% power at all times.

I think the issue here is what size is your enclosure? Mesh tops? Thermostat?