Also, plugging a dimmer into a thermostat isn't needed, a Thermostat will control the temp all by it's self, the dimmer is used when you don't have a thermostat.
I don't know about the snake, but I know many people use a dimmer as well as their thermostat, to insure that if the thermostat fails, the heat pad or tape doesn't get too extremely hot. It's a good safety precaution and doesn't hurt anything to have it there.
~ Shannon
1.2 normal bp ~ Lilly (06) ~ Delilah (09) ~ Joey (06)
1.0 cinnamon bp ~ Doughnut (08)
1.0 mojave bp ~ Jay (08)
0.1 pastel bp ~ Patsy (09)
2.0 cats ~ Lil Bit (08) ~ Toby (08)