I’m using a new uth on my juvenile ball python. I am using the sand mat to place on top of the bottom of the tank where the heater is to prevent my snake from getting burned. Has anyone else ever done this just to be safe? I know my older ball python clears out the substrate and lays right in the glass but i I’ve a thermostat on that heater. The way I have the mat my smaller snake will not be able to move the mat. Just going to use this temporary until I get a new thermostat and uth. I’m moving him to a bigger tank soon. Thanks for any advice.