Question about cornsnakes??

Question

While i was setting up the tank for my new baby cornsnake, the instructions on the undertank heater said i could put the heating pad on the side of the tank to avoid harming the snake if it burrows close to the glass. I've never heard of doing that , i thought the point of putting it on the bottom was to keep the snake warm when it sleeps in the hide or just to make the substrate a bit warmer but im confused because on the instruct. it says"the heater is designed to slowly heat glass and then the air inside" so should i put it on the bottom or the side of tank? any opinions of wich is better for the snake? im putting the tank on a small bookshelf, if that helps..

Answer 1

Put the heater under the tank but not the whole tank. Leave a cooler area so that your snake has a range of temperatures to choose from. Get TWO thermometers (one for each end of the tank) keep one side at around 80 degrees and the other at 72 to 75  

Answer 2

what do you feed it mice i love mice you crule person

Answer 3

Well..i suggest you get a rheostat.

Answer 4

Some species just need the air warmed slightly and so putting it on the side would be OK.  But for snakes, it must go underneath the tank on the bottom.  Put a layer of aspen shavings about 2-3 inches deep over the bottom of the tank and the snake will burrow to the depth it needs to warm up.  All UTH mats should be plugged into a thermostat, rheostat or dimmer switch to adjust temps.  Use a digital probe thermometer (place the probe on the glass surface of the tank over the UTH mat side) to accurately measure temps. Aim for 85F on the surface.  UTH can overheat if not regulated.  

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