Slate tile?

[Bluebell_1990]

So I have a idea to do a little unground hide for my boy I was going to use a plant pot with a slate tile ontop I’m just wondering about is slate safe for ball pythons I’m not putting this hide directly under his dhp but I was going to put it on the outskirts of the heat so it does get some heat but not so it will burn him


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[Bogertophis]

Physically-chemically? I'd say slate tile is just fine if this is a natural product (like rock?)- I'm not that familiar with slate tile though-for example, is it coated with anything?

The danger that comes to my mind is that it could fall on your snake causing great injury if it's not secured in place. ("set on top"?) You can't rely on the weight- snakes can be very "pushy".

[Bluebell_1990]

It’s hundred percent natural slate no chemicals he is like a bull dozer so this is something I have thought about maybe I should just use cork bark instead


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[Bogertophis]

I just looked it up- apparently there are "synthetic slate tiles" too, & who knows what could be in those? Otherwise, it's just the weight issue- it might not be a good idea unless it's flat on the bottom of the enclosure- I don't think a snake could lift it & go under it. Setting it up on something would be dangerous unless it's firmly glued in place AND tip-proof. (And if this is in a glass tank, forget it! That's asking for it to be slid as a battering ram- lol.)

[Bluebell_1990]

Ohhhh noooo yeh I’m not risking it I don’t even think glue would stop him he’s managed to break every fake plant I’ve got I think he seems to think he’s a butterfly and can just sit ontop of plants and they will stay still I’m now on the hunt for sturdy fake plants hahhaa


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[Bogertophis]

Ohhhh noooo yeh I’m not risking it I don’t even think glue would stop him he’s managed to break every fake plant I’ve got I think he seems to think he’s a butterfly and can just sit ontop of plants and they will stay still I’m now on the hunt for sturdy fake plants hahhaa


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I'm glad you asked & thought more about it- I've seen slate mentioned for possible use as a 'heat sink' for snakes, but it's risky unless used a certain way. I used to live in So. California- in the land of earthquakes- and when I first got into snakes, I used a few rocks for decoration in their homes- but after we had an earthquake (& fortunately I had no damage either to snakes or glass tanks) I totally re-thought the idea of using such things. Earthquakes can even "fling" such heavy things- I was lucky- I had a "wake up call".

[Bluebell_1990]

:0 am pleased nothing happened so that’s slate tile and rocks a big big no no for him then I live in uk so not so many earthquakes but I wouldn’t trust that he wouldn’t move them


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[Homebody]

So I have a idea to do a little unground hide for my boy I was going to use a plant pot with a slate tile ontop I’m just wondering about is slate safe for ball pythons I’m not putting this hide directly under his dhp but I was going to put it on the outskirts of the heat so it does get some heat but not so it will burn him

I used a slate topped hide for my Children's python. It sat on a recycled plastic food container. To lessen the danger of crushing, I stabilized it against the side of the enclosure with a branch and a brick. It was located directly beneath my heat source to provide belly heat for basking. As long as it's properly regulated with a thermostat, it shouldn't burn your snake. You can see it in the background of this picture.

Here he is basking. He liked basking while still halfway in his hide.

[Bogertophis]

Yes, there are ways to use slate safely. But you also have to consider the size & strength of the snake- a BP is far more likely to be able to move it than your little Children's python. Of course the weight of the slate is also more lethal to your snake, but I'm sure you thought of that when positioning it.

[Homebody]

Absolutely! You should consider not only the size of your snake, but also the weight of the slate. My slate is a heavy paving stone. Slate tile is thinner and lighter. Easier for your snake to move but less likely to crush it. It's also important to consider how high up in the enclosure you are putting it. In the pictures above, the slate is 2" off the ground. It would be much more dangerous to put a piece of slate on an 18" high ledge. Common sense goes a long ways, but if you're in doubt, you can always post a pic to the forum for advice.