When I had many, many snakes and neonates I used a rack system with plastic boxes and heat tape. It works very well.



You absolutely have to have a rheostat/thermostat to control the heat as heat tape can get too hot and either melt the boxes or harm your snake. Or both. I used a very simple dimmer switch but you could get something more high tech.



I see no reason to put the tape/rope inside the enclosure as it works just fine underneath. And its easier to move the cage around without the tape inside.



If you only have one cage I think a mat or the wide tape would be better than the rope.



My tape was in contact with the plastic but as I said I carefully set the temp.



I think its always a good idea to seperate the animals from direct contact with the heat source if possible.



The probe should go on the hot spot. In this case on the cage floor over the tape. Air temp is another matter. If you want to use a seperate thermometer to check the air temp thats fine. But the probe you use to control the tape should be on the floor at the hottest spot inside the cage.

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