Yeah! Just order my new cage

And by the way...WELCOME to the forum, Angel! :) What kind of python is Rat? (Cute name!)

You really REALLY should take that out. Heat pads underneath the tank are alot better. They aren't recommended for the reason that snakes, such as yours, don't realize when it is getting too hot, so they end up with burns all over their body.

--Hot Rocks from Heating and Humidity page--
"I'd like to share with you some information on hot rocks, which are commonly sold to new-comers by pet store employees. I realize the majority of you reading this will be new to ball pythons, so this information is important.
You should never, under any circumstances use a hot rock. These are accidents waiting to happen. They over heat far too often, and are a liability. I've seen many pictures of massive burns caused by hot rocks, it is not pretty. They develop "hot spots" on the surface. Where one spot is 95 degrees, and another is 125. So your ball python will be warming it's stomach, and at the same time burning it's tail. Regardless of whether or not the hot rock has a dimmer, it is still dangerous. Do your ball python a favor if you have one, cut the cord off. They make terrific 14$ decor.
This is a screen shot taken directly off of Zoomed's website. Zoomed is the number one producer of hot rocks. Still, the danger is so high for ball pythons using hot rocks, they have posted a warning SPECIFICALLY for ball pythons, curious."

Reading the Heating and Humidity page might help you out. Besides, a human heating pad from WalMart is so much less expensive and functions much better than a hot rock that could burn the poor snake. I would definately go for function over "pretty" any day. I sure hope this has helped. But please, do your snake a favor like it says above. Get a human heating pad.

Oh yeah, if anything I said up there is incorrect or if anyone wants to add something I forgot, please PLEASE feel free to. Educating people is wonderful. :)

Hey Angel! Welcome - yeah the problem with heat rocks is they burn your snake VERY easily - a regular old human heat pad is a great alternative (about 15$ at walmart) just be sure it doesn't have auto shut-off. A great thing to do with a heat rock is just cut the cord off and use it as a decorative rock! Welcome to the boards! :)

Welcome to the site Angel! Is Rat a ball python?

Huh....thought I posted here...

http://www.ball-pythons.net/Sections...-1-page-1.html

Scroll all the way down and read about the dangers of hot rocks.

hi, i like hockey and ball pythons, whoopee