Slate / tile and potential heat issues

[Zoe]

Hi folks, I have a new 8 month old bp and I have some husbandry questions I'm hoping y'all can advise me on.

As the moment he's in a tub (22" x 17") but once I know he's eating, shedding and pooping well I plan to set him up in an exo-terra (with the lid modded as much as I need to maintain humidity levels). The exo I got used came with slate tiles on the bottom, and I'm wondering if it might be beneficial to use them.

At the moment, the tub is inside the exo-terra and the heat source is a large heat pad on the bottom of the exo-terra, which is providing a good temperature. But, I don't think the idea of there being only a piece of glass and newspaper between him and the heat source, and I was thinking that the slate might do a better job of spreading the heat uniformly and preventing any hot spots. Or, for all I know, it could do the opposite.

Alternatively of course I could use a few inches of substrate which may be better or worse...

The major downside of the tiles is cleaning it if he poops on it and it gets between the tiles. Or I could do both... the tiles, and enough substrate to cover the tiles and absborb poop. Or newspaper...

I am not sure! Any thoughts on what is best / safest? He is my only snake so I am not too fussed if it's extra work cleaning. Thanks!

[Jon14]

Hi folks, I have a new 8 month old bp and I have some husbandry questions I'm hoping y'all can advise me on.

As the moment he's in a tub (22" x 17") but once I know he's eating, shedding and pooping well I plan to set him up in an exo-terra (with the lid modded as much as I need to maintain humidity levels). The exo I got used came with slate tiles on the bottom, and I'm wondering if it might be beneficial to use them.

At the moment, the tub is inside the exo-terra and the heat source is a large heat pad on the bottom of the exo-terra, which is providing a good temperature. But, I don't think the idea of there being only a piece of glass and newspaper between him and the heat source, and I was thinking that the slate might do a better job of spreading the heat uniformly and preventing any hot spots. Or, for all I know, it could do the opposite.

Alternatively of course I could use a few inches of substrate which may be better or worse...

The major downside of the tiles is cleaning it if he poops on it and it gets between the tiles. Or I could do both... the tiles, and enough substrate to cover the tiles and absborb poop. Or newspaper...

I am not sure! Any thoughts on what is best / safest? He is my only snake so I am not too fussed if it's extra work cleaning. Thanks!

As long as your heat pad is regulated you will not have an issue with harming your snake if it comes in direct contact with the glass. I would assume that the tile would spread out the heat more, but i cannot say for certain. I would experiment to see how the heat disperses with the tile and compare it to just the glass. Also, you do not want the heat to disperse too much otherwise your snake may be unable to regulate its body temperature.

[chrid16371]

I use slate tiles in my leopard gecko tanks and they only get hot on top the mat. They penetrate the tile well but the only problem I had was when my room would get cold it wouldn't stay at the right temp inside. I had to move my thermostat probe inside and hot glue it to the tile.