Do I need to worry about ambient temps with a heat matt?

[VickiG]

I have a heat mat that’s getting to around 30° but the ambient temp is quite low, about 17°, and lower in the room. She has been out and about but we’ve also been running the heater on 20°, without it it gets very cold during the day and night, around 5° in the room.

She’s a 4m old childrens python.

 

[Herpetology]

You want the hot spot where she can heat up, at about 32c

 

[VickiG]

You want the hot spot where she can heat up, at about 32c

Thanks, that doesn’t really answer my question though. Do ambient temperatures matter when using a heat matt.

 

[Herpetology]

Thanks, that doesn’t really answer my question though. Do ambient temperatures matter when using a heat matt.

as long as she has 24/7 opportunity to get to 30+c (day and night) untill shes a year or 2 older at which point you can turn off night time

 

[Vixen.]

Think about snakes in the wild where you live, they like to lie on rocks, or in built up areas the roads to absorb the heat, they do this during the warmer months and they brumate during the colder months (meaning they rest and conserve energy and may not eat as much as eating uses energy). So long as they have access to A singular warm spot like herpetology says, the ambient air temperatures aren't as vital. If you find your snake is just CONSTANTLY on the warm spot and doesn't ever want to move (more than for a few days digesting or in shed) then you should consider insulating the enclosure to maintain a bit more heat. Or if your snake is persistently cage surfing (looking like it's constantly trying to escape or get out to a specific side closer to a heat source etc) then again you might want to check your temps and review further options.
Simply put so long as they have a warm area and a cool area they manage their temps and body regulation on their own, you don't want to cook them by not giving them the gradient they need.

 

[VickiG]

Think about snakes in the wild where you live, they like to lie on rocks, or in built up areas the roads to absorb the heat, they do this during the warmer months and they brumate during the colder months (meaning they rest and conserve energy and may not eat as much as eating uses energy). So long as they have access to A singular warm spot like herpetology says, the ambient air temperatures aren't as vital. If you find your snake is just CONSTANTLY on the warm spot and doesn't ever want to move (more than for a few days digesting or in shed) then you should consider insulating the enclosure to maintain a bit more heat. Or if your snake is persistently cage surfing (looking like it's constantly trying to escape or get out to a specific side closer to a heat source etc) then again you might want to check your temps and review further options.
Simply put so long as they have a warm area and a cool area they manage their temps and body regulation on their own, you don't want to cook them by not giving them the gradient they need.

Okay great, thank you