Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I'm new to this site and hoping that you can help.
I recently got a Califorian King (Sun 15th), when i first put him in his new home he was all over the place investigating everything, he has hot and cool spots, hiding places etc that are in different locations around the enclosure, but he is choosing to lie down the bottom on his heat mat right under a ledge, the enclosure is quite big, its 4.5ft tall x 3ft wide x 2ft depth.He's approx 3.5 years old and about 4.5 ft long. I know i have to leave him to settle in his new home for at least two days, but he just doesnt want to move much from his mat & he is in darkness under there, I had to disturb him yesterday to check the temp and put his water bowl down there, the first ledge is only say 5 inches above him and is easily accessable. Its quite easy to change the set up if he's gonna stay on the bottom all the time, but when is it safe to do so? Or will he start moving around soon? I'm worried he's not getting the direct heat from the lamps, If i leave the heat mat on at night the temp will be 80-85 all the time,with about 70-72 at the front, if i turn it off at night it would drop to about 64-68, shall i turn it off at night? Any help would be greatly appreciated .....Thanks

First of all, turn off the heat lamps. Snakes get most of their heat by absorbing it through their underside, so heat lamps aren't appropriate.

I would suggest you find the kind of hiding place the snake likes and put one at the warm end and one at the cool end of the cage. Then leave the heating pad on at all times.

Make sure you check the temp of the substrate where the heat tape/pad is. That is the important temperature. If it is too high, you may have to plug it in through a rheostat.
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Chris Harrison

Thanks, i have got a "matstat" or heat mat thermostate, i think he loves it.....i have taken your advice, and he seems much happier...i appreciate it....Thank you