Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I've expressed my interest in obtaining a female pastel ball python to mate with my male normal (for fun, not profit... just because I love the pastels).

Since I'll only be working with two snakes, I decided to build custom enclosures. It's all one piece, free standing. The measurements are 36"x24"x16" for both, with an empty section below for storage of the same size (so the whole thing is 48" tall). Anyways, I would like to heat them with radiant heat panels, but I needed some advice first.

1. Is pro products the only company that makes radiant heat panels? Are they of good quality?

2. At that height (16", realistically 14-15" once I get some substrate in) will the radiant heat panel be able to produce enough heat.

3. Is there any way to provide belly heat to supplement the radiant heat from above? I've heard that the cobra heat mats are strong enough that you can bury them partially in the substrate even when moist with no problems. Do you think I should trust these claims? Perhaps I should contact t-rex and ask them myself? If I have the heat panels already, will I really need any supplementary belly heat anyways?

4. Can a radiant heat panel be run with a thermostat (and perhaps both the heat panel and heat mat together)? Will this affect the longevity of either products?

Thanks in advance. Any other suggestions for heating wooden cages are welcome. The cages are turning out beautifully. I'm just about finished constructing it (just a few more holes with the hole-saw for vents and cord grommets). Right now I'm in the middle of applying wood filler where necessary, and caulking the interior seams. I am treating the interior walls like bathroom walls. I am using the same primers, paints, and caulks used in bathrooms in an effort to make it resistant to moisture/humidity. Any tips? I've just ordered the tracks for the sliding glass doors, and once everything is sanded down, it should look nearly flawless. I'll have to post pics when I'm finished.

Ryan - I will preface this by saying I have not used the radiant panels for ball cages but I have a pro-products panel in my GTP cage. And I really like them for a heat source far better than a light or heat emitter.

1. No - pro products isn't the only one that makes the radiant heat panel - Yes they are very good quality. I haven't used others but have hear that pro-products is the best.

2. I would think they would do a good job at heating the cage if you have one with a higher wattage - I think mine is 40 watts for a 24 x 24 x 18 cage. I don't think you mentioned the wattage on the panels you have. I believe you can contact pro-products and they will be able to tell you what size or wattage you need for your cage type.

3. I don't have a lot of experience with Cobra mats but I believe they are for putting under the cage not inside under the substrate (?) I also don't really like having that big of an area inside the cage that the snake can burrow down and rest upon - too much of a possibilities that the snake will burn itself. If you cannot heat the cage from underneath I would suggest may be running some heat cable under the substrate for additional belly heat as opposed to putting a heat mat there. IMO having a heat mat inside the cage is no different than having a heat rock which we all know is not the best heating method for snakes. The cable will provide a good deal of heat - without getting too hot or provide a large surface for potential burns.

4. Yes - all heating elements should be run on a thermostat!

Good luck on the cage - you might want to check the caging forum for some more tips and info.
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Tosha

I'll have to contact pro products and see what size heat panel they suggest. The cages are by no means tall. I was thinking the 16"x11" panel would fit well and cover a quarter of the enclosure. I believe that model is 50 watts. I think installing those with a thermostat would be the best course of action. According to the packaging, the t-rex cobra heat mats can be used inside of an enclosure, but realistically I wouldn't feel all that safe using it in such a manner, especially with cypress mulch.

Thanks again for the help.

Ryan, I've used Pro Products heat panels on 3', 4', 54" and 6' cages housing different species of pythons, including balls. I've been very pleased with their performance. Call Bob and he can walk you through the process of picking the wattage that is appropriate for your particular situation. What works for me might not be right for you. Be prepared to tell him not just what you've told us in your post, but also the coldest ambient temperatures you can expect where your cages are located, and the temperature(s) which you wish to maintain in the cage.

Since your cages are only 15" tall, I can see is no reason to provide heat both from above and below unless you are placing those cages in an extremely cold situation.

By the way, am I correct that these cages are situated one on top of the other? If that is the case, you may not even need a heat panel for the cage on top, or might choose a smaller one. I'm speaking from the perspective of using Vision cages which are not good insulators, so A LOT of heat radiates upwards into the cage above from the one with the heat panel. Your experience with wooden cages might be quite different, however. The people on the Caging Forum are usually good with this type of information if you have questions.

-Joan