Hi as stated i am very new to snakes and am researching into snake enclosures having deciding on a ball python being my choice in snake. at current i have partly decided on the viv pictured below which is a 36" long Vivarium 3ft x 1.5 x 1.7 and is made of walnut.

http://www.valuevivariums.co.uk/viva...6-pi-3947.html

My main issue that i am trying to research is the heating of such a viv as it is wood which i believe will rule out heat mats (correct me if im wrong) and have set eyes on a microclimate 150 watt ahs heater with built in thermostat. question is is this adiquate to heat the whole viv? will this work on its own without need for a second heat source? and will a protective cover be needed?

http://www.valuevivariums.co.uk/micr...w-pi-3730.html

As for substrate, hides, humidity and decor i am pretty confident and the only other question i can think of at the moment is will some sort of device be required to give sunlight to the snake? and please suggest one that is reasonable for the viv above.

thank you so much for any help you can offer and im sure you will be able to as this site seems extremely helpful.

cheers