Safe Heating System for Snake Racks?

[Animallover3541]

Hi, guys.

I'm new to the forum and don't have a great deal of experience with them. I've searched for similar threads hoping to have my questions answered but I've been unable to find what I'm looking for.

I'm considering building some snake racks to house my collection. I've been looking into available heating elements and heat tape looks like a very good option. However, after doing my research it can get quite hot and so will need to be used with a thermostat. This is no problem, but my concern is the thermostat failing at any point. I live alone and work 8 hours a day, so if the thermostat fails while I'm out I don't want to risk cooking the animals or burning the house down.

If anyone can share their methods with me or any advice that would be much appreciated. Though I'm no stranger to keeping snakes, this will be the first time I've had a snake rack setup so I'm a bit of a newbie on the subject.

I am someone who is against racks for a couple different reasons (limited sizes for tubs, limited methods for heating, harder to provide enough hides, etc.). However, if you choose to go with this housing option, you can get a Spyderweb Herpstat that will allow you to monitor temperatures remotely. I just got a regular Herpstat 2 because they had some available on clearance. I haven't set mine up yet but it seems nice and most keepers recommend them. Also, here's their probe placement guide for their products: https://spyderrobotics.com/index.php...666c342f66b3b1

Personally, I really regret not buying a thermostat that disconnects power when it can't get temperature down BEFORE I got my snake, but I was 13 and didn't know. Luckily he never got any burns, but it was so scary having the thermostat probe get pushed aside and then ending up with a hot spot wayyyyy over 100F. I've been using a VE stat the last couple months that I got off of facebook marketplace and I haven't had any issues with it so far either.