Heat Mat for a Ball Python

[Repzard]

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?

[SteelerFreak89]

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.

[SteelerFreak89]

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!

[Peter Williams]

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.

[Repzard]

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.

[Repzard]

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.

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

[SteelerFreak89]

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

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.

[Peter Williams]

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.

[Repzard]

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

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.

[SteelerFreak89]

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

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.

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.