Python cage degrees

I have a normal python.. (Don't know the sex yet..)
Still a juvenile.
I heard the cage temps with a heat pad are supposed to be around 90-95 F.
I left the house for 30 minutes to get some mice to feed it, I got back and the cage temp was 105F.

Here's how it's cage it set up.

1 In. Deep Repti-Bark bedding.
Small Heat Mat
The probe from the thermometer is about .5 In. or 6 cm. above/below the repti-bark.
The snake also has a heat lamp.. It's a lamp like this.
Is the light too much?
Also, should I turn off the heat pad when I leave the house for a few?

Do you have the lamp and heat pad hooked up to a thermostat? The temperature on your heat pad is way to hot. It could very seriously burn your snake.

No we don't.... The thermostat is under the ground semi-close to the heater.
I turned off the lamp, it's went from 105 to 99 in about 15 mins..

Wait you have a thermostate but it isnt hooked up to the heat pad?:confused::confused::confused:

You need your UTH to be plugged into a reliable thermostat to maintain proper temps and avoid over-heating which could lead to severa burns.

How can I hook up my thermostat to my heat pad??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Retarted Geese

How can I hook up my thermostat to my heat pad??

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You plug your heat pad in the thermostat's outlet than plug the thermostat in the wall's outlet.

the thermostats there referring to are not house type. You can get some good cheap ones from www.reptilebasics.com

This is the thermostat I use... It probes and is real close to the heat mat.
So it mus be a few degrees cooler above the repti-bark.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2wovb6g.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/14ty44z.jpg


That's temp and humidity now with the light off.
The probe is still halfway under the repti-bark.
I putmy hand onto the repti-bark and it's warmish... Not hot.

Thats a thermometer not a thermostat. Thermostat controls the temps as thermometer only reads/displays the temp

Not a thermostat, it's a thermometer which measures tempertures

A thermostat controls tempertures.

You need to buy a thermostat to control your temps and avoid over-heating.

The site mentionned above is a very good place for that.

I'm going to go ahead and say that if money is a serious issue (thermostats aren't exactly cheap), you CAN use a rheostat, available from places like home depot. They are just light dimmers for plug in lamps, and you can 'dim' the power on your heating element. However there is no computer control for a desired temperature, and they are far from perfect.

I only say this because if you ignore people's advice and don't purchase a thermostat, at least get a rheostat. At least having a rheostat is better than a completely uncontrolled heat pad.

Alright. I live near a pet store. I got a thermostat .

Thanks guys :)