UTH in Wooden Vivarium!!

I currently have one small heat mat in my big woodenvivarium and a heat bulb. I would like to change it so I have one large heat mat covering 1/3 of the tank floor, however I do not know what the best way to have a UTH in a wooden viv. The one I have in there now is stuck onto the side, so it does not really provide under belly heat. I have aspen substrate which is pretty thick.

Can I just put the UTH on the inside of the tank under the aspen? As it is my snake can touch the UTH and it doesn't get too hot and he doesn't burn himself. (I hope!)

Any ideas?

UTHs go inside wooden vivs, on the floor under the substrate. As long as you have them controlled on a thermostat they shouldn't get hot enough to be much of a threat to anyone. If you are worried about your snake laying on the mat, though, you can cover it with ceramic tiles if you wish.

I have 3 wooden vivs and each one has the mat inside. I've never had any problems whatsoever.

Only concern would be the snake's heat. The flash point of wood is 572 degrees I doubt even uncontrolled that a heat mat would even come close. But you should control the heat for the snake's safety.

Thats ok, I've got a thermostat and decent thermometres and stuff. I was more worried about the aspen shavings lying directly on the heat mat. So no chance or fire hazard?

As well as controlling the heat (I use Habistat Mat Stats - the cheapest option & they do the job), you need to make sure that the junction (the point where the wire joins the mat) can't accidentally get wet as this will cause an electrical problem. This is always as risk, as Corns don't know where it's safe to poop!

Some folks make false floors that sit over the top of the mat and prevent either snakes or poop coming into direct contact. Where possible, I have the mat outside and underneath the viv (with the viv raised off it so the weight isn't resting on the mat) and this works as well. Again, a stat is a must.

I believe the general wet issue of heat mats is not to immerse them. I wipe all mine down with water every so often. And ith a nice layer of aspen on top, that should absorb before it reaches the mat. It's never been an issue for me really. I also find that having heat mats beneath wooden vivariums simply doesn't provide enough heat for the snake, but maybe it depends on the type/thickness of wood used.

Beaniebopps, wooden vivariums are often designed nowadays to have the UTH inside. Some companies make wood vivs now with ready-drilled gaps for the mat andd stat probe to be inserted inside the viv. You could have a look at those.

I made mine and recessed the mat 1/4"down in the wood floor with an 3/16" lexan cover on top of entire floor area.

Thanks for all the help although my post was a little misunderstood... I do already have a thermostat and a heat mat and wooden viv. My heat mat is already IN the wooden viv (can't go underneath, not enough warmth) so the holes are already there. I can use a screwdriver anyway thanks! I just wanted to know was it ok to put my heat mat on the wood under the aspen, rather than on the side of the inside where it is now.

I think from the replies the answer is yes, so thanks