Quote Originally Posted by 581775017
Everyone says cool side should be 82-85F and warm side should be around 90-95F... But how do you guys measure? On top or under the substrate? I measure under the substrate... But what if your snake never goes underneth the substrate? Would it be getting enough heat? If you measure on top of the substrate.. Wouldn't it get burned if it goes underneth? All I know is that its a big diffrence!! If you want your temps to be 90-95F on top of the substrate it will be well over 105F underneth...and the other way around... The question is how do you guys/gals measure? What effects does it have?
This is why I think it's important to use a very thin layer of substrate if you use belly heat. Aspen can work fine...but put down just enough to absorb waste (which is all the substrate is for anyhow). They don't need a thick cushion of bedding. I aim for not more than 2-3 degree difference between the floor of the enclosure and the top of the substrate....whatever it may be.