What is the best way to heat a large snake cage?

Question

I want to make a cage for my 13 foot Burmese python and the cage will be around 18 feet long, 4 feet wide and 4 feet tall. I already use 1 large dog heat mat but want smething better.

Answer 1

18 feet long?! Wow.

I'd go with UTHs (under tank heaters) and/or radiant heat panels. You can get a couple 11"x48" Ultratherm UTHs or make your own using 17" flexwatt. You can also set up a ceramic heat elemant or bulb, but just make sure it's enclosed in a protective cage to prevent burns.

Answer 2

NEVER EVER use a heating rock... reptiles burn themselves on those all the time!!! Use a reptile bulb on the top of the cage, but toward one side or the other. With that size of cage I would look into a 100-150 watt lightbulb (reptile bulb, not household). Reptiles need one side of their cage warm, the other side room temp. This way they can escape the heat when they get too warm.

So put the light on top of the cage on the left, and the water dish on the right. Also have a hiding place on each side for the snake.

Buy a 150watt to start with, also get something to check the temp inside the cage. Do a lil research online to find out what temp is best for the species, and make sure you achieve that temp.

Any other questions, feel free to email me!

P.S. When the weather changes, you will have to adjust your wattage, too. Summer = less wattage Winter = more! The key is that thermometer

Answer 3

I totally agree with barefootn. No heat rocks!! And get rid of that dog heat mat. I hope its not inside the tank!! I don't use a heat mat, but if you do, it has to be attached UNDER the tank/. Your tank should be enclosed so it holds in the heat. If its not enclosed, the only heat he will get is what is directly over him. Heat emmitters are the best and strongest source, but their expensive. But they last a long time. Go to Petco or Petsmart.com and click on their reptile heating section and it'll show you the different types of bulbs they have. NEVER use a heat rock. They'll burn their bellies, I'm sure if you go on google you can find all kinds of info. I actually have a blue tongue skink, not a snake, but the heating is pratically the same for both. They need a warm side, and a cool side. And something to hide inside. What do you have him in now? My best advice would be to go on google. You can find everything there!! Good luck !!

Answer 4

wow 18 feet is alot of room, that will be a sweet cage, you have room for an 18 foot long cage ? you could make the cage 8 feet long and that would be enought room for the snake that way you could have another cage and keep another burm. i would use heat tape, i use it for my rack systems you can cut it to any length, mine are in 6 foot long 11'' wide strips, or heat cord, im sure with that big of a cage you will have problems keeping the heat and humidity up. you snake could get an ri, just make sure the temps and humidity stay at the right range for a week or two before you put the snake in it.. that would be a sweet looking cage tho take some pics when its done.

Answer 5

A big heat mat is probably your best bet. Heat mats are recommended heat source for most snakes; hot rocks are dangerous and heat lamps tend to dry out the atmosphere somewhat. Most snakes benefit from belly heat. The largest heat mat I've seen is around 4-foot long, Habistat make it. If you're having trouble heating this cage, maybe it's just too big? It's great you want to give the snake as much space as poss, but remember it has to be practical too.

I don't know much about them as I've never used them so I'm not actually recommending these - just giving you something to look in to. Check out this "reptile radiator." Apparently they can be used to heat large cages. http://www.eurorep.net/habistat/radiators.htm

Good luck!

Answer 6

In low clearance cages i use radiant heat panels. They are a bit pricey to buy but they are definitely worth it. There are a lot of factors that determine wattage needed for any heat source. Without knowing room temp, cage material, cage design, ect there is no way to tell a magic watt. Trial and error or a thermostat with a large watt setup are the way to go

Answer 7

Hey my fellow snake owner.I have a 12 foot python and I heat her cage with a heat lamp.

Answer 8

Well you could put a heating lamp on top and see if you can find some large heating rocks(Rocks that absorb heat easily) and put them in there. Also put a generous amount of water inside so the snake doesn't dry up.

Answer 9

I think you should get a flood light or a large heatind pad. I'm pretty sure they'll work good for your burmese python. I had a ball python once and it worked perfectlly.

Answer 10

since reptiles need to regulate their own body heat, its better to have warm areas and cooler areas, go with the heated stones they sell at the pet shops instead of the dog mat.