Temperature for Spotted Python

[Spiderman1]

Hey Dudes and Ladies,

Ive recently bought a young spotted python, and am a first time owner. Have been having some problems with either my heat mat or thermostat. The thermostat keeps letting the mat drop to about 24 degrees before turning back on and heating up again, and even then I have it set for about 31-32 as my house gets a bit cold and it only generally reaches about 29-30. This leaves the cooler end of her tank a bit colder than it should be. I also got home yesterday and the thermostat wasnt working at all. So! 2 Questions: What will living in a slightly cooler temp do to our new little snake, and does anyone have any advice on the best brands/types of heat mat and thermostat to use (wattage, etc), and the best place to put them: In or out of the tank?? I currently have it on one side, taking up about a third of the tank floor. Please no nastiness about 'You should have researched this before you got a snake'. I did, very thoroughly and listened to what the breeder told me, but there is only so much control a person has with electric devices. Thanks guys!

 

[Chris]

This is my Spotted enclosure, I don't use a heat mat, I use a heat lamp & a day light. Warm end is 33-34 (even warmer under the lamp), cool end is low 20's. We have cold nights here at the moment, even then the temp only drops to about 20 at the cool end.

 

[Spiderman1]

Oh right. Does a lamp rely on a thermostat also though? I'd like to have everything as reliable and regular as possible. Nearly everyone has said heat over lamps

 

[Chris]

I can't comment on a mat as I have never used them, I've always had heat lamps & thermostats (use of a lamp should incorporate a thermostat). Regarding reliability, there's never been an issue.

Who is the "everyone" that said heat mats over lamps?

 

[Spiderman1]

The people at the shop I got the tank and other gear from. The guy who bred our spotty, another breeder I emailed before getting the spotty from somewhere else. Most people have said they only need a mat. I just havent had the experience of experimenting with various heat sources so am just not sure which is the best and most reliable

 

[Trouble]

I personally would get rid of the mat, as I've had nothing but issues with them. one completely burnt out out almost killed my snake, but that was the extreme.
I either use globes/lamps or a heat cord. I don't use a thermostat with either of these. timers on the globes, and with the cord I can add or minus how many coils are under the tub to get a good temperature. you could try putting a tile at the hot end so that heats up as well, and that'll hold a bit more heat for the little spotted. other than that, I can't really think of anything else at the moment. I'm sure there are others on here who will have ideas.
good luck

 

[Ned_fisch]

Are you using a dimming thermostat, or an on/off thermostat?

That's the problem with on/off thermostats, they turn off when it gets to 31-32 degrees as you've set it, then don't come back on until it's way to low. Dimming thermostats, dim the wattage, allowing it to only change a few degrees, rather then 10.

A dimming thermostat would be a lot better mate.

 

[Spiderman1]

Yeah, thats the problem. My thermostat drops and raises between 25 and 32 every half hour. It doesnt seem to be bothering Spotty though, it has settled in well, is chilled out and easily handled even though so young and is eating very well, always seems to be hungry. Thanks so much for your help everyone, so much better getting advice from people who have trialled and errored all this stuff, not from some spotty teen in a pet shop trying to sell me all sorts of crap