Heat Mat for a Ball Python

Hi my name is Repzard, I'm new to snakes. I currently own an emperor scorpion and a leopard gecko, but I wanted to get into snakes, and so, the ball python will be my first snake. I've done much research on its care and stuff, but I have a few questions about setting up.

First off, I want to know about the heat source. I bought this Exo Terra 16W Heat Wave Desert Heat Mat on eBay and it will be coming in soon, and was wondering if it would be an adequate heat source for a ball python for all its life. If anybody has this heat mat model, could you tell me if it works good, and what is the surface temperature?

Also, should I stick the heat mat on the INSIDE bottom of the tank, or the OUTSIDE bottom of the tank?

Last but not least, could I use plastic plants in the vivarium? Here are a whole bunch of plastic plants I'm interested in (and I've already selected a few I might buy): http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products...est_plants.php

What do you think of those plants?

Depending on how big your tank is and the temp of the room will determine if the heat mat would be adequate. The problem with some of the heat mats are the temperatures range, so make sure you have a thermostat.

Either way place the heat mat on the outside of the tank, preferably on the bottom of the tank.

You can put the plants in the tank, but just be warned everything you put in the tank you must clean thoroughly which can be hassle.

p.s. Welcome aboard! I'm no expert, but you will find many here. There are a ton of care sheets and people here to help.

Good luck and enjoy!

Hi, that exoterra heat mat will be fine, but make sure you have a thermostat or rheostat. Back when I kept my bps in tanks, I used the exoterra rainforest heat mat, which is only 8 watts. They heated up to 90-95 easily, and sometimes on a really hot day in the summer they would go over 100. So I imagine the 16 watt desert heat mat would easily hit 120 on a summer day if unregulated. So I'd definately invest in a lamp dimmer if anything. I'm not trying to shun you away from the desert heat mat, seeing as you already bought it. It probably does have the advantage though, in the winter, of maintaining a nice 90-95. The rainforest ones hit 80-85 at max and have to be helped out with a heat lamp, so I think you probably made the right choice getting the desert one, but DEFINATELY use a rheostat.

Hope that helps.

Thanks!!

Oh, and I will be getting a baby ball python, and so I will be using the mat in a 10 gallon tank. The heat mat is 10.5" x 11"

When the python gets older, I'll switch to a 20 gallon long tank.

My room temperature is around 68F-72F.

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

Hi, that exoterra heat mat will be fine, but make sure you have a thermostat or rheostat. Back when I kept my bps in tanks, I used the exoterra rainforest heat mat, which is only 8 watts. They heated up to 90-95 easily, and sometimes on a really hot day in the summer they would go over 100. So I imagine the 16 watt desert heat mat would easily hit 120 on a summer day if unregulated. So I'd definately invest in a lamp dimmer if anything. I'm not trying to shun you away from the desert heat mat, seeing as you already bought it. It probably does have the advantage though, in the winter, of maintaining a nice 90-95. The rainforest ones hit 80-85 at max and have to be helped out with a heat lamp, so I think you probably made the right choice getting the desert one, but DEFINATELY use a rheostat.

Hope that helps.

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Hi, I have two 4W Heat Wave Rainforests, and together they only boost up the temperature by about 7F-10F

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Originally Posted by Repzard

Hi, I have two 4W Heat Wave Rainforests, and together they only boost up the temperature by about 7F-10F

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Same here. I have 2 rainforest 4W mats on the cool side to make it 79-80 and a heat lamp on the hot side to make it 91-92. But that is on a 20 gallon.

You should be fine. Its great to see that you are setting everything up before getting the snake.:banana:

I also had those heat mats in a 10 gallon. I may be mistaken but I was fairly sure the heat mat was 8 watts, and it was the medium size.

Cool I will put the 16W heat wave desert on the hot side, and a 4W heat wave rainforest on the cool side :cool:

Also, I was thinking about getting a snake cave: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/snake_cave.php

Which size do you think I should get? I'll buy two, one for the hot side and one for the cool side.

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Originally Posted by Repzard

Cool I will put the 16W heat wave desert on the hot side, and a 4W heat wave rainforest on the cool side :cool:

Also, I was thinking about getting a snake cave: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/snake_cave.php

Which size do you think I should get? I'll buy two, one for the hot side and one for the cool side.

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I would suggest the exo-terra reptile cave which is on the same page. I have 2 (one on each side as you stated, well done btw!) and she loves them! I've only heard good things about them. They are hard for the snake to move and are easy to clean.

Haha cool I was just thinking about those! I have one of those reptile caves, the small version.

Which size do you think I should get? If I buy, say, a two medium sizes for a baby python, will I have to upgrade to say, two large sizes or two extra large sizes for when it becomes an adult? Or should I get two large sizes for the python all its life?

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Originally Posted by Repzard

Haha cool I was just thinking about those! I have one of those reptile caves, the small version.

Which size do you think I should get? If I buy, say, a two medium sizes for a baby python, will I have to upgrade to say, two large sizes or two extra large sizes for when it becomes an adult? Or should I get two large sizes for the python all its life?

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I wish i knew what size I had. I'm pretty sure they are the medium. Since you have a 10 gallon, I would get 2 mediums and go from there. If they are too big/small you can always return them. But the mediums should last a while.

Just because I am nosey, just wondering where you are getting your bp. :)

Hmm try looking at the openings and see which one it looks like. Also if yours doesn't have the "crack" on top like the xtra large does, then yours could be a medium or a large.

You can see the sizes here they show all pics of em: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/reptile_cave.php

Oh ya and also it may be 2-3 weeks before I get my bp because I'll be ordering another 16W mat (the one thats coming in will be used for my leopard gecko) :(

Yep I have the medium and its actually a little on the big side but she loves it.

Well the 2 weeks give you time to make sure you are prepared. who are you getting your snake from?

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Originally Posted by SteelerFreak89

Yep I have the medium and its actually a little on the big side but she loves it.

Well the 2 weeks give you time to make sure you are prepared. who are you getting your snake from?

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Cool, I'll go for the medium sized then :D I hope it wont be too small or too big for a baby ball python! How big is your BP?

As of yet, I have absolutely no idea whom I'm getting the BP from. I definitely won't buy it from a petstore, but I'll try searching for breeders in my local area. Or if you could recommend me some good breeders that'd be cool (I'm in Canada btw so they must be able to ship here :D)

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Originally Posted by Repzard

Cool, I'll go for the medium sized then :D I hope it wont be too small or too big for a baby ball python! How big is your BP?

As of yet, I have absolutely no idea whom I'm getting the BP from. I definitely won't buy it from a petstore, but I'll try searching for breeders in my local area. Or if you could recommend me some good breeders that'd be cool (I'm in Canada btw so they must be able to ship here :D)

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Medium should be perfect. She is about 20 inches 219 grams.

You are doing everything perfectly. I'm not sure which breeders ship to canada or are up there. There are many people here who can send you in the right direction just ask around.