Heat mat placement

Yes, the UTH goes underneath. It is also there solely to provide a hot spot to aid in digestion. It is not designed for ambient temps. If the temps in the room the enclosure is in don't remain a constant low 80s you will need an additional heat source.

ALL heat sources should be regulated by a thermostat to prevent dangerous heat spikes which can cause serious burns or worse to your snake.

So do you think it's okay to move him out of the tank to put the heat mat on the bottom even though he's settling in? I don't want to stress him out, but he's probably pretty uncomfortable, since he's been lying next to the heat mat side instead of in his hides, so maybe it's better to take him out and set up the tank right rather than have him stay like that for a week.

Yeah, you can definitely take him out and make adjustments. Your husbandry should be your top priority. Once you've got everything dialed in it's much easier. Then, just daily equipment checks.

Get the husbandry on point, let him acclimate for a few feedings and then start handling. You have 25+ years to handle your snake, so give him some time to get situated.

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Originally Posted by Robolover

So do you think it's okay to move him out of the tank to put the heat mat on the bottom even though he's settling in? I don't want to stress him out, but he's probably pretty uncomfortable, since he's been lying next to the heat mat side instead of in his hides, so maybe it's better to take him out and set up the tank right rather than have him stay like that for a week.

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As craig said, it should be ok. Id rather have my snake be a tiny bit stressed for a short period then risk him sitting in an improper environment which will do the same thing long term. You'd want him to get used to the proper setup, not the other one.

Okay i put the heat mat under the tank and he's in his hide now.

Should I get the kind of thermostat you can connect to the heat mat on the chord?

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Originally Posted by Robolover

Okay i put the heat mat under the tank and he's in his hide now.

Should I get the kind of thermostat you can connect to the heat mat on the chord?

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These are pretty much the go to budget thermostat, I prefer Herpstats but they'll work in a pinch.

Okay,so I don't think that the heat mat is heating up the hot side of the tank enough. Maybe the substrate is too thick?

The heat mat is to be only used with a thermostat, the thermostat probe goes on the heat mat. Never let the heat mat get over 92. The AMBIENT temperature of the air in the tank should be heated by a DIFFERENT HEAT SOURCE, such as a heat lamp controlled by a second thermostat. THE HEAT MAT IS NOT FOR HEATING THE TANK!!!! It is for creating a hot spot! I keep the ambients around 79-80 using a space heater (controlled by a thermostat of course!). Some
people use a heat lamp, or ceramic heat emitter, some use a radiant heat panel.

you need TWO HEAT SOURCES AND TWO THERMOSTATS. Imo, this should be required information give by the breeder, when selling a python!

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Originally Posted by Robolover

Okay,so I don't think that the heat mat is heating up the hot side of the tank enough. Maybe the substrate is too thick?

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How thick is your substrate incidentally?

I use orchid bark ( fabulous stuff) but only use a layer of about half to two thirds of an inch in depth ... so no more than 2cms .... That's my way ...


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It's maybe a 3rd of an inch to an inch and a half? I didn't use a lot. I'm using cypress mulch and just a little bit of ecoEarth.