Hiding Wires.

[AkivaSmith]

I have two questions about hiding wires.

I plan on putting my wires under a sheet of newspaper that is covered by aspen bedding.

1) How many sheets of newspaper is necessary to keep the critters out of the wires?

When placing the probes for temperature gagues (either for thermostat or digital readout) on the hot spot:

Currently I have newspaper over the wires, then I have the probes covered by a baby's washcloth, then I have the aspen bedding on top of that.

But that means that the probe only has a couple of sheets of newspaper and a thin piece of cloth between it and the glass of the terrarium which has the UTH right there. The temperature reads 90f +/- 1f.

2) Is that an accurate way to set the probes? Should the probes be on the glass directly under the paper? Should the probes be embedded in the substrate not covered by paper or cloth? Should the probes be on top of the substrate (exposed)?

Thanks. I have almost got my setup finished. I am going to the NY Reptile Expo on Sept. 10th to buy my first BP!!!!

[xdeus]

It doesn't really matter where you place the thermostat probe. Most people usually attach it directly to the heat source and then adjust it to get the top of the substrate at the right temperature. I've tried to bury the thermometer probe under the substrate, and it's fine if you don't want the wire to show, but it's not necessary. Just coil up most of the probe wire and bind it together with a twist-tie. Push the cable to the corner of the cage and the snake will rarely even move it.

As far as where to place the temperature probe, I usually place it in the warm hide on top of the substrate. then keep the main thermometer on the cool side. The warm hide will get a little warmer than the outside temperature, but they spend most of the time in their hides so that's the temperature that you want to get perfect.