Questions about Heat Mats

[Dragon_Slave]

Hi there.
I will be getting my first corn snake the first week in January and I've been researching corns for about a year now. I am curious about a few things though, so I'd like some feedback.

I came across this product, which is sold in my local pet store, and was wondering if it would be ok to use, and if so, would I have to hook a rheostat up to it? And can I use it on one of those Lee's Kritter Keepers?

http://thatpetplace.com/MainPro/itemdy00.aspx?HKW=&TKW=&SKW=R20&EDP=10337&T1=R20+0171+0461&PgNo=1

Now... as for rheostats, when my snake gets older I will be upgrading the Kritter Keeper to a 20 gallon long enclosure, which I already have but wanted something more ''escape proof'' for my hatchling. Ok, which rheostat should I go for?

#1: http://thatpetplace.com/MainPro/itemdy00.aspx?HKW=&TKW=&SKW=R15&EDP=4435&T1=R15+0495+0087&PgNo=1

#2:
http://thatpetplace.com/MainPro/itemdy00.aspx?HKW=&TKW=&SKW=R15&EDP=3920&T1=R15+0047+0389&PgNo=1

I hope these links work, lol. :)

Also, I was wondering if I could use the heat mat on the Kritter Keeper, would it be ok to put the Kritter Keeper inside of a 20 gallon long tank? I have a cat and would be afraid she'd knock around the Kritter Keeper if it wasn't ''in'' something she can't get into, like the cage. I can't keep my cat out of the room because she lives in it, so would that be ok? Thanks for any replies in advance.

By the way... I'm getting a hatchling Striped Amelanistic from Home Grown Herps. :)

[sapphire_moon]

I know where you're coming from. I have a cat that lives in my room also.

It would be ok to put the kritter keeper inside the tank. But you will want to get a rheostat (or a lamp dimmer from wal-mart, TONS cheaper.) to keep the UTH around 80-85.
since you've been studing for a year I won't get into care and maitnece. lol

But I use a lamp dimmer on all my snakes UTH's and that keeps them right where they need to be. They are right at wal-mart. I also use an indoor/out door probe to see how hot it is. Put the probe right on top of the heating pad.

[mark129er]

I just use a human heat pad with the 3 settings as my uth. The second setting keeps the temps where I want them. Just my 2 cents

[mango]

you can also build your own rheostat. They are wonderful and it's very easy and inexpensive. I'll try to find the thread for you.

[MouseKilla]

Usually the under tank heaters don't get much hotter than 90 degrees anyway so I find the dimmer unnecessary, and if you really want it you don't necessarily have to go to DevilMart (just saying...). You'll need a misting bottle for the snake viv anyway and it can have a second use as a cat trainer. Everytime the cat gets near the snake cage you spray the hell out of him and shout profanities, eventually he'll respond to the sound of your cursing alone and you won't need the bottle any more. I've found if you already have the light fixture for an aquarium anyway you might as well throw two 25 watt bulbs in it and use that as your heat sourse and scrap the UTH. The bulbs seem to raise the temps up in the cage about 10 degrees which is just perfect for a corn as long as the room stays at least 70 degrees itself. You'll be fine turning them off overnight too if that's the case. People often make the mistake of treating corns as tropical snakes and provide way more heat than is needed. Room temps won't hurt them a bit, 10 degrees extra through the day helps them to digest. It's one of the great things about corns, they don't need a lot of gear to thrive. Also I don't recommend the plastic vivs, they are poorly ventilated. I would just go straight to the aquarium if I were you with a screen lid as opposed to the chicken wire type to prevent escape. If you do get the plastic cage I would put extra (but super small) holes in it and watch the temps closely.


Mark129er,

My human heat pad seems to shut off on its own after so long rendering it useless, yours ever do that?

[AshleyL]

Originally posted by MouseKilla


My human heat pad seems to shut off on its own after so long rendering it useless, yours ever do that?

i believe that most newer human heat pads/blankets are programmed to shut off after 12 hours. I guess its a fire pervention/energy saving mechanism...

[Auskan]

Mark wrote "Also I don't recommend the plastic vivs, they are poorly ventilated. I would just go straight to the aquarium if I were you with a screen lid as opposed to the chicken wire type to prevent escape. If you do get the plastic cage I would put extra (but super small) holes in it and watch the temps closely".

Mark, the Reptile Ranch that the original poster mentioned is, if anything, too well ventilated. It has long narrow holes all the way around the top of the base part and the lid is as ventilated as the screen for an aquarium. For a corn it would be fine on ventilation, but for a tropical species, it makes keeping the humidity level up very difficult.

The Reptile Ranch differs from the Critter Keeper in this regard.

[Dragon_Slave]

Auskan, yes... thanks for clearing that up for me. I was referring to the long reptile ranch.

Thanks for everyone's replies... any more?

[Smilts]

i think it would be easier to go with the tank from the start. They sell locking and almost escape proof lids at wallmart.. All i ever have used is human heat pads they work great.

[Dragon_Slave]

Originally posted by Coy
i think it would be easier to go with the tank from the start. They sell locking and almost escape proof lids at wallmart.. All i ever have used is human heat pads they work great.

Yeah... it's the ''almost'' part that scares me, lol. I can't afford to take ANY chances of the snake escaping. Not only do I have a cat, but I have a mother who would have a heart attack!

[reverendsterlin]

most petstores sell aquarium type enclosures that have a sliding screen top that has a pinlock. Don't bother with..Mousekilla wrote, "might as well throw two 25 watt bulbs in it and use that as your heat sourse and scrap the UTH. The bulbs seem to raise the temps up in the cage about 10 degrees which is just perfect for a corn as long as the room stays at least 70 degrees itself"...non-arboreal snakes use bottom heat not ambient air temps for digestion and temp control(rocks, rotting vegetation, roads) heat lights/lamps are a waste of money and not healthy for your animal.

[Dragon_Slave]

Thanks for the advice :)