Hi

I have had a ball python for around 5 yrs now and have always used a heat mat and bulb for heating the viv. Unfortuanelty my snake some how managed to open the cage over the bulb and wrapped himself around it, when the temp raised in the morning he got quite badly burnt, which led to scale loss then infection and much stress for me but undoubtably more for my poor friend. All in all its my fault completly and lesson learnt.

Any way, I have been told not to use heat mats as they can burn snakes unless put under a glass cage, my is wooden so heat wont go thru too much. Also rocks are defo out, heat pads on ceiling don't put out enough heat, and ceramic strip heaters are too expensive.

What do others use.

Many thanks in advance for replies.