All you aspen folk

[Neil]

Do you worry at all that your snakes burrow into the aspen and lie on the heat mat? What if they burn themselves?

 

[Alicia]

You can use a rheostat to adjust the amount of heat you get. You can also use cage carpet on the floor and put the aspen in on top of that. I have done it this way and it's worked just fine.
You can attatch the heat mat to something other than the cage, like a ceramic tile square. Then adjust the cage height over that accordingly. Those are just a few ideas. I'm sure that there are other creative ways to get the job done

 

[little twiglet]

A thin layer of perspex over the top of the heat map works just as good!!

 

[bmm]

i

I use a thermestat with the probe directly on the heat mat with my Ball Python. I use another thermometer on TOP of the substrate so I can measure the temp there. I think a thermastat is the best bet probably.

bmm

 

[Iris]

I propped up my tank about an inch so that some of the heat from the heat mat can escape. The temperature is usually 84ºF right on the "hot spot."

 

[Neil]

Thanks. I'll go with the thermostat idea since I already have one lying around ready for brumation time (so I can slowly lower and raise the temp). I'll put the probe under the aspen and directly on top of the heat mat.

I couldn't just prop up the viv because it's made of wood and joined to another two.