Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm placing heat bulbs inside of a cage I just built and I'm wondering what you guys use to guard your snakes from touching the bulbs. I know that almost all snakes will instinctively avoid contact with a hot bulb, but want to put ones over the bulbs, anyways. Do you use wire and build a cage around the bulb? Or can you buy guards? If so, where?

Thanks in advance.

Dimitri

Big Apple Herp sells them. If using ceramic heat emitters (which get very very hot) then use a guard for sure. If using red heat bulbs or similar, touch the surface quickly with your fingers, then decide for yourself. Some types of snakes are more likely to climb up and bumb into a light than others. A bulb guard does give peace of mind in any case. I use 40 watt bulbs without guards and have never had a problem.