Weird question: do snakes need their body temp to be at the temp of their basking spot?

[Sarah Jane]

Only noticed tonight that my snakes heat lamp had blown, I have no idea how long he has been in the cold for. He’s fine thankfully, and I replaced the bulb immediately and he is currently basking. Much more active and moving around.

But this bulb I’m pretty certain is a lower wattage than his previous one (I can’t see on it unfortunately) so with the temp probe that I have hanging near the cage surrounding the lamp it says it’s in the 20’s, and his basking spot is at around 22 with the temp gun. I will attach pictures so you can see. I’m just wondering if this is okay or if I need to get another lamp. I feel so dumb asking.

This is his basking spot


Temperature when directed right at the bulb


Basking spot


Multiple places around the basking spot




He is very healthy and happy, sheds great, never misses a meal, such a beautiful temperament. Just wanna make sure I’m doing right by him and I think I need a little more education on this topic.

Thank you in advance.

Also just gonna chuck in a comment and let everyone know that I have a thermostat and it’s set to around 35° with about a 2.5° gradient because it never actually reaches that heat on his basking spot but if it ever were to get that high, it would turn off.


This is Nagiri!

Once again replying to myself cause I feel stupid. I had such a brain fart. Of course the temp of his basking spot needs to be in the low to mid 30’s. Need to post another thread tomorrow about how I can possibly have a heat mat or heat cord in his enclosure because there’s no easy way to put one in.

 

[Sdaji]

Looks like you're measuring the basking temperature incorrectly.

That perch basically allows the snake to get under the 'bulb' (is it a ceramic heat emitter? If so, do everyone a favour and switch to something else, those things are garbage) and heat up. The radiant heat will heat something up after that thing is under it. If you have a flat rock or something under the basking lamp (or CHE) it will heat up, but radiant heat doesn't heat up the air, it travels until it hits an object then heats up that object. Your wooden dowel probably isn't great at absorbing that heat.

There's a million and one ways to add a heat mat or cord

 

[Sarah Jane]

Looks like you're measuring the basking temperature incorrectly.

That perch basically allows the snake to get under the 'bulb' (is it a ceramic heat emitter? If so, do everyone a favour and switch to something else, those things are garbage) and heat up. The radiant heat will heat something up after that thing is under it. If you have a flat rock or something under the basking lamp (or CHE) it will heat up, but radiant heat doesn't heat up the air, it travels until it hits an object then heats up that object. Your wooden dowel probably isn't great at absorbing that heat.

There's a million and one ways to add a heat mat or cord

What do you recommend to get?
I don’t know how to add one into his enclosure! I can take pics of the enclosure if that will help you understand.

 

[Sdaji]

What do you recommend to get?
I don’t know how to add one into his enclosure! I can take pics of the enclosure if that will help you understand.

Easiest would be to just put a heat mat under the enclosure, but I'm not sure how safe or effective that would be in your situation. I'd personally rig up my own heat mat using a heat cord, but that's a bit unconventional and more a personal preference thing.

There are countless options, it'll probably require a bit of creativity, that's on you

 

[Sarah Jane]

Easiest would be to just put a heat mat under the enclosure, but I'm not sure how safe or effective that would be in your situation. I'd personally rig up my own heat mat using a heat cord, but that's a bit unconventional and more a personal preference thing.

There are countless options, it'll probably require a bit of creativity, that's on you

Not safe as it cannot go under the enclosure. Like literally can’t. And it cannot go inside.
I just checked him under his lamp and he was at 30-33 degrees so thankfully he is okay!

 

[Vixen.]

You could put a heat mat, or heat cord under a tile of whatever size you want, place that on the floor of enclosure, then drill a hole to pass the cable through (looks like wood cabinet so easy enough) he's a big enough boy he wouldn't slip through a small hole, but if you're worried, fill it in with silicone (from bunnings) job done.

 

[Sdaji]

You could put a heat mat, or heat cord under a tile of whatever size you want, place that on the floor of enclosure, then drill a hole to pass the cable through (looks like wood cabinet so easy enough) he's a big enough boy he wouldn't slip through a small hole, but if you're worried, fill it in with silicone (from bunnings) job done.

Where there's a will there's a way. I absolutely guarantee it will be possible, the only thing making it seem impossible is a 'can't do' attitude. You can put a heat cord into literally any enclosure. I've seen a hundred and one methods. I have no idea why a heat mat couldn't go under the enclosure, I can't even fathom how you could make it impossible.

 

[Sarah Jane]

Where there's a will there's a way. I absolutely guarantee it will be possible, the only thing making it seem impossible is a 'can't do' attitude. You can put a heat cord into literally any enclosure. I've seen a hundred and one methods. I have no idea why a heat mat couldn't go under the enclosure, I can't even fathom how you could

Because the top of the enclosure takes 3 people to lift it and you cannot put a heat mat underneath it. It’s two pieces.

 

[Sdaji]

Because the top of the enclosure takes 3 people to lift it and you cannot put a heat mat underneath it. It’s two pieces.

You might have to drill a hole or cut out a slot or make whatever other modifications are necessary, or get three people to lift it, or whatever you need to do, but it will 100% be possible. I personally wouldn't generally use an enclosure which required three people to lift, but if I did, I'd accept that it would take three people to move it, so three people may be required to make modifications if they are needed. But if you're happy with it as it is, that's fine too