The exoterra comes in rainforest and desert the rainforest is not meant to get as hot in my experience it maxes out around 88-95º the desert maxes out at 170-190º it works perfectly with a t-stat it is not my fav but works IMO leaving a snake with out heat while you order flexwatt is not a good idea. Get the exoterra now and if you want to replace it later then order something else. Flexwatt does not stick to tubs so gravity pulls the centre down I would not recommend it for a direct contact to an enclosure. Every time I have tried I got very uneven temps. A rack yup but not a single tub.