Baby short tailed python not eating

[Bogertophis]

Heat mats do nothing for ambient temps


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Well, not much, anyway. For further explanation: Heat rises, but usually there's too much air to warm, and in order to raise the ambient temperature enough with a UTH (heat mat), you'd end up with an unsafe "floor" temperature for those snakes needing higher overall (ambient) temperatures in the enclosure. I use UTH for all my snakes, but I have colubrids that mostly don't need so much heat- they do fine using a hide placed over the UTH (the hide helps to hold in some of the heat) and with some supplemental overhead heating as needed.

Also, your ambient house temperature makes a big difference too- the colder the room is, the more heat loss you'll have in any kind of enclosures. One way to help keep the heat "in" is by insulating your enclosures, but tubs don't really lend themselves to that the way either glass tanks or rectangular plastic enclosures do. When using plastic tubs, you need to be careful so you don't melt the tub with supplemental heating devices: thermostats & vigilance are essential for safety no matter what kind of heat (or lights) you're using.

How big is the heat mat relative to the "floor"? You never (!) want to heat the whole floor, but as long as it's regulated, you might want to use a larger one (or use 2) during cold seasons. Just a thought, if it's true that the the temps. are too low & if that's what is causing the snake to refuse food. I'm not one that uses plastic tubs of any kind though, so I'm sure that those who do may have more suggestions. I also have no experience specifically with this species, so by all means listen most to the members here that do- see what their set-ups are like. One thing: if you put the water bowl over the UTH, that can help to raise the humidity a little.

One other thing to think about when using UTH: the amount & type (density) of substrate that you use makes a big difference for how much the UTH can raise the ambient temperatures. When you're keeping a snake that burrows, or one that needs more humidity, your substrate is deeper, & that is basically acting as insulation that PREVENTS some of the heat from rising into the tub, unfortunately. That's why your UTH may not be enough. There are many variables- it's challenging to get set up to meet the exact needs of the occupant. It usually takes some adjustments for your specific situation.