The only thing i worry with the heat mat is what would happen if the snake spilled water or urinated over the heat pad and it got in between the glass.
Besides red bulbs i believe they also sell black type bulbs that produce heat.
You can also try the CHE with the guard and use a piece of tin foil on the bottom of the inside of the guard and up the sides an inch of two . then take temps of how hot the che is on the sides of the guard. Its hard to say how hot the metal could get.
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