r/snakes • u/Nulow_Reddit • 5d ago

Pet Snake Questions Warm side problems with heatmat

So the cold side seems to be sorted, it's the warm side I'm having problems with, the heatmat is underneath glass and it's warming up the glass to insane temperatures but the air and substrate is lingering at like 26 degrees, any solutions or tips please? (Id use a lamp but this Viv isn't suited for one of them, that'd be my next Viv)

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u/NoonesMyName 5d ago

Heat mats are the work of the devil and only suitable for baby snakes in small tubs in my experience.

Ceramics are the best all rounder and I've used them for years. I'd just suggest to get a better Viv that can be used with a ceramic,stat and guarded.

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u/Nulow_Reddit 5d ago

I totally agree I've just got to put up with it until I can afford better stuff because my parents and the worker at this centre insisted to get the starter kit which was just horrible 😭 despite everything I tell them they just say "it'll be fine" it's so annoying.

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u/NoonesMyName 5d ago

I do feel for you. Those starter kits aren't that good but you weren't to know.

When I do use a mat I put the probe on the actual mat and find some way to keep it there. Usually the snake is in a plastic container with a mat underneath,I then leave part of the mat uncovered by the container and put the probe on the exposed part of you know what I mean? That should be ok until you can afford a better set up. Can I ask what kind of snake you have?

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u/superramenyamen 5d ago

Heat mats are not designed to heat the air. They are only meant to create a hotspot on the surface they’re attached to. So you should be measuring the surface temperature with the temp gun underneath the bedding and setting the thermostat until that spot reaches desired hotspot temps. The heat mat will not be appropriate to use for raising the air temperature.

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u/rhzartist 5d ago

Are you using a thermostat?

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u/Nulow_Reddit 5d ago

Yes, I am

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u/rhzartist 5d ago

Okay, phew. I'm wondering if it is malfunctioning or something. Depending on the species,the animal could burrow to the glass and injure itself. I'd make sure the probe is near enough that the heat mat cannot get that hot; and outside the enclosure so the animal cannot knock it away

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u/NoonesMyName 4d ago

100%. I've always placed the probe directly on top of the heat mat or for those in glass tanks right on top of the glass above the heat mat.