Hey guys,

I hope you are well,

As my thread Title suggest my Girlfriend and I are new to snake ownership and we just had a few questions to ask to make sure we can provide the very best home for our little man.

Firstly, I think he needs an introduction - This is Arnie, he is a 5 to 6 Month old Pastel Orange Ghost and he is super adorable!





We just wanted to clear up a few things and make sure that his house is as best accommodating as possible

Below are pictures of our viv - its a 3ft Viv with a heat mat controlled with a thermostat (Microclimate B2), the Heat mat is situated on the left side of the viv under a sheet of glass with substrate on top of it with wood to make the hot hide. on the far right he has a cold hide and a long piece of wood along the back to climb over. In the middle is the water bowl

Viv:



Hot Hide:



Arnie curled up in the Hot Hide:



Full Viv:



from what you can see is his Viv ok? in terms of lay out and what not? I can get him more stuff to go in there if he needs or would be more beneficial.


  1. I read conflicting arguments around Heat mats and possible damage they can cause Arnie. I have read that as a youngster he is fine but when he becomes Sub-adult/Adult it may cause issues, any advise or further understanding of this?
  2. My Heat mat is controlled around 86c - I have read that between 82-86c is the sweet spot but then also that 90-91c is where you need to be? What temperature does his Hot hide have to be?
  3. I have read mixed articles around feeding within his viv, both with Pro's and con's, As we have substrate down would it be best to feed him outside his viv? or could we put some newspaper down with his food on it and then remove that after he has eaten it?


I think this is all I can think of for now but I am sure I will have more questions as time passes

This is so exciting and I think I have really got the Snake bug now!

I hope to hear from you all soon,

David