Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm thinking of getting an undertank heat mat for my zonata. I have a couple questions about it though. As I was looking through some old posts in the "housing section" here I came across some discussions on the heating mat cracking the glass, or burning the snake. I was wondering if this is something that I should worry about? I have a 18"x18"x24"h terrarium (I know that's a little big for a snake that's only 20" or so..but he loves to climb)...it has a compact flourescent "tropical" bulb (he hides from light that's too bright), and I use eco-earth or plantation soil substrate. I just want to get some feedback before purchasing a heat mat. I don't want to compromise the safety of my snake. Any advice will help.
Thanks

-----
~~~ Joannie

Try it without the snake in the tank. Wait a couple hours and then place you hand where the snake will be.If your hand is warm but not hot then your ok.
PS make sure that lid is taped or weighted on all 4 sides
-----
Doug L

I use uth on my tanks and found that the glass did get too hot. Therefore I did a few things to remedy the situation. First I raised the tank slightly to create more circulation under the tank. Then I got a thermostat (reasonably priced under $40) to regulate the temp. That allows you to set the temp. (be sure to put thermometer on the floor of cage next to the sensor which should be directly above your heater. Lastly as an added safety feature, I lined the bottom of the cage with reptile carpet and put my aspen shavings over that. I have absolutely no problems with over heating or burns.

Do you think a heat rock would be better?
-----
~~~ Joannie

Heat rocks are a terrible idea, I wish petshops would quit selling them... they get WAY to hot and could very easily burn (or cook) your snake... I knew a guy in college who got an iguana and used a heat rock with it... he had the iguana 2 weeks before it baked itself to death on the rock....

The python I just got from another friend has blisters on its back from the heat rock... I use UTH's on all my tanks, as long as the bottom is lifted to allow air circulation under the tank, they won't get to hot, especially not if used with a rheostat
-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Brooksi
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 German Shep mix (Shadow)
0.1 Cat (Echo)

Thanks. I have a raised terrarium and I'll start looking around the petstores for a uth and thermostat, or rheostat or whatever it is they're called...thanks again
-----
~~~ Joannie

I'd hate to see you lose an animal because of a heat rock...
-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Brooksi
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 German Shep mix (Shadow)
0.1 Cat (Echo)

any heating source including hot rocks should be on a thermostat/rheostat...what do they say, common sense isnt so common anymore, hello its a heating source regulate it but dont outright condemn the rocks i mean after all they are just rocks...
how did a bp get blisters on its back from a hotrock? did it crawl underneath it???
,,,,,,,,thomas davis
-----
Morphs... just like baseball cards BUT ALIVE, how cool is that???

my website www.barmollysplace.com

I'm not sure, but I don't see how else he would have...

He was given to me like that last week, and the guy who gave him to me didn't have a clue...
-----
~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Brooksi
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 German Shep mix (Shadow)
0.1 Cat (Echo)

id guess heat light or ceramic heat emmitter burns being they are on the top of his body. funny thing is hotrocks, heat emmiters even heat lamps are great produts but they NEED TO BE REGULATED/MONITORED WITH A THERMOSTAT/RHEOSTAT as does ANY heating source.
good luck w/the ball,,,,,,,,,,thomas davis
-----
Morphs... just like baseball cards BUT ALIVE, how cool is that???

my website www.barmollysplace.com