Quote Originally Posted by Xotik View Post
Then you probably should have put the snake on the end of the "eventuality" list, instead of on the top. My apologies for sounding harsh, but far too many people have had burned snakes because of a malfunctioning heating pad, or having a heating pad shut off completely and have the temps plummet for days and you not know. Also stick on thermometers are meant for WATER, not GLASS. They aren't even accurate for water to begin with.

I too would suggest either more plants/overcover, or a smaller tank. I have two babies that WILL NOT eat unless they are in a box the size of a small shoebox. More overcover would also help - maybe a hide or two more than you already have - more options.
My UTH pad rocketed it up to 168 degrees one time, melting the plastic of the 20L tank frame and cracking the glass.

I returned it and bought the heating cable and 4 1000W thermostats.
[I'll never own another UTH pad...that wasn't the first one to 'go weird' on me]

If Iggy had just happened to be in her warm hide when it spiked, it would've killed her.

Luckily, she wasn't....or she'd had the sense to avoid it.

IMO, thermostats, IR temp guns and good digital thermometers/humidity monitors are absolutely, positively essential with no exceptions and of paramount "priority".