Ultratherm heat mats

I got 2 from reptilebasics.com, an 11x11 & 11x17. Why do they market those for use without a thermostat? I'm getting a 25 long set up for my boy after he gets out of shed & plugged it in & waited. Put the thermometer probe on top of the aspen substrate & looked at the temperatures. On top of the substrate, its a perfect range for BPs, 85-90. I then moved substrate aside & put the probe on th bare spot & it shot up to over 100°!

Don't panic, there is no living creature in this tank yet! I'm just concerned! That's dangerous for scale babies; if the substrate is thick enough he won't get burned, but for burrowing species like colubrids, that could really hurt them! Even though BPs don't burrow, they still like to thin down the substrate in their hides to get more warmth (at least mine does).

In the package directions, it says to not lay on the substrate too thick to prevent too much heat build up & put Styrofoam between the heater & the surface th tank is resting on to direct the heat into the enclosure....but damn, 100°+(????) This is crazy!

I know this isn't really a question thread, I just had to vent & possibly forewarn fellow herpers about this.

Any heat source should be regulated. I don't know about them marketing it for use without a thermostat but that is pretty irresponsible on their part.

Well I was wrong somewhat...I'll let you be the judge. Maybe not directly marketing it for use without thermostats, but definitely suggested

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-faq

He says to monitor for a few days and use temp. control if the temp gets over 100 degrees....where's the confusion?

I think the confusion is that a Tstat "may" be needed and not considered mandatory according to the author.

There's nothing irresponsible about recommending keepers monitor their temperatures and react accordingly. Also keep in mind that there are other reptiles besides ball pythons that have different temperature requirements.

I'll just have to buy a 2nd thermostat, simple as that

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monty's_Mom

I think the confusion is that a Tstat "may" be needed and not considered mandatory according to the author.

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Depending on the situation, it may not be needed.

That's all RB is saying. Nothing wrong with advocating that keepers observe, react and adjust as needed.

I know a few GTP keepers that use these heat mats. They are mounted on the side and often used without a thermostat since they are not covered with substrate. These heat mats are great for babies in small arboreal enclosures.