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is my mew setup okay?

S

simbob

New member
hello im new to snakes and after a tussle with mum and dad im aloud a snake. Today i went to get a small plastic vivarium ( approx 17" by 11"). Okay, so i got a heat mat which is the exact same size as the viv. Will this be okay to heat up the whole viv? I understand they need a cooler spot but i thought if i leave a spot with no substrate and a hide over it this will be the hotter area. The mat is 12 watts. So to confirm, ive got a 17 by 11 inch plastic viv on top of a 17 by 11 inch heat mat, wood chippings substrate, a water bowl, and a hide with no substrate underneath. Is this okay? sorry if it didnt sound clear im in a rush lol. Thanks for any help.
 
Hi and Welcome. The heat mat (under tank heater) should only be 1/3 the size of the viv. It should be placed under one side or another, not in the middle. This how you can achieve gradient temps. You can put substrate under hide and you need two hides on each side. You will need an accurate thermometer, and a way to regulate heat. good luck susang
 
Don't be in a rush, because there are a few things to sort out before that'd be safe for a snake.
Unregulated heatmats can reach temperatures that will burn a snake, and reach temperatures that can kill or cause brain damage. The heatmat needs to be regulated with a thermostat, and you'd want a digital thermometer to measure the temperatures to check they are in the right range. Most use heatmats that cover only a third of the floorspace so the snake can thermoregulate by choosing whether it wants to be at the hotter or cooler side of a viv. You can get matstats and digital thermometers in any good shop that sells reptiles, or look for better prices online.
You need more than one hide so the snake doesn't have to choose between the right temperature and security. (Looroll tubes are great for hatchlings)
You can get a very good book by Kathy Love called 'Cornsnakes the comprehensive owners' guide' either from a good reptile shop or order through WHSmiths.
You can get any good reptile shop to hold the snake you want for you while you get the setup sorted and do your research. Corns can live for 20 years or so, so waiting a little while and starting off with all the potential problems covered is well worthwhile.
 
Well said Janine.

Yeah, Susan and Janine are right. The heat mat should only be under 1/3rd of the tank, but getting a heat mat that size won't be a problem, since you can use the same one as he moves up into bigger tanks. I've personally seen a snake that's been burnt as a result of a non-regulated heatmat (this was in a petshop), and it can be easily avoided.

As for the set-up, apart from the heat mat it sounds okay. There should be a minimum of two hides, sandwich boxes and toilet roll tubes work really well if you don't want to spend more on another hide.

As for the thermostat, here's a link to a great site, they sell what you'll need at good prices, as well as good delivery. It's www.livefoods.co.uk.

All the best

David
 
thanks for really helpful info. So beacause i have a heat mat the size of my viv can i just cover a third underneath the viv and just let the rest overhang, if you get what i mean? With a digital thermoneter, will i need two, one to measure the cool side and one to measure the hotter side? i already have one circular thermoneter that sticks to the vivarium. Also can someone take the time to explain to me exactly what thermostats do and how they work please? thanks alot guys, i can already tell im going to get top notch advice on here.
 
Take the stick-on thermometer back to the shop or put it in the bin! Maplins sell this thermometer/hygrometer with probe
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=36148&criteria=digital thermometer&doy=13m1
That I use, personally. You can have the unit on the cool side and the probe on the hot side and switch between the in/out mode to see what's happening both sides. It also records the max/min temps over 24hrs.
Thermostats work in different ways, either as a simple on/off that let the temp reach a certain point then switch off and turn on again as the temp falls. The other type is proportional, so it allows the amount of current through to keep within the temperature parameters you've set.
 
I honestly dont mean to sound rude or down putting but did you do any research into keeping snakes. That book by kathy love is amazing and the web is where I got most of my info on keeping corns, I spent ages researching the subject, however now that you've found this website you can get tried and tested information from people who have kept corn for many a year (not that your all old) Good luck its so addictive if i didnt live my parents id have loads
 
SimBob,
Best of luck, and as they have recommended do some research. This forum is an outstanding place for info as is Kathy Love's book. I have read it a few times and always seem to find something new and interesting in it. Also, if you get info from anyone try to verify it. And although most questions have been answered and can be found through a simple search on here please feel free to ask, as we are glad to help.
 
thank you too everyone who has replied, really appreciate it. I have done alot of research since the last time i was on. I did come across a caresheet saying a temperature gradient was not entirely necessary, its just like a luxury for a snake. I dont no if this is true though, as i now understand snakes use the cool and hot sides to regulate their body temperature.
 
I'ld be real interested in seeing that care sheet. If you decide to keep the viv warm, your nsake could get cranky and not fair well. If you keep it cool, your snake may not digest food well and regurg. So maybe a luxury to some by my snakes have a gradient and I think most others do also.
 
sorry I forget to ask would a heat mat the same size of my viv be ok to just cover 1/2 or 1/3 of the viv with it and leave the rest to overhang? Also the mat have heated my viv too only about 25degrees celcius. Is there another way too make the temperature rise a few degrees? thanks
 
I'm sure if you get the thermometer that was suggested to you and use Farenheit instead of celcius...I'm sure you will see a big difference..Many times it is much hotter in the tank then the owner thinks it to be..that is why thermostats and thermometers are so important..and those stick on thermometers are no good at all..
 
thanks alot for your help. I will get a the thermoneter recommended and a thermostat but im on a tight budget at the moment. Please can you answer the heat mat position question please, i would really appreciate that.
 
As long as the heat mat covers 1/3 of the tank only...then any setup form for it should be fine..covering part of the tank and leaving the rest open should work okay :0)
 
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