Do Corn Snakes Need Heat Mats

In many cases however a heat mat won t get quite as warm as your snake needs.

Do corn snakes need heat mats. With a suitable bulb guard as always these have now replaced my white python ceramic bulbs i did used to use. Heat mats produce warmth without light and are only good for heating the bottom of an enclosure not the air. As a keeper you will have to duplicate this in your corn snake s habitat. If you live in a warm area then a heat mat may be enough to create the basking spot that your corn snake needs.

To achieve this we attach a basking lamp to the ceiling of the enclosure on one side. Snakes cannot do this. Heat lamps dry out the air inside the enclosure so they work better for snakes with low humidity requirements such as hognose snakes and corn snakes. Heat mats are the still the most widely used method of maintaining correct temperatures for corn snakes although i believe that they are an inferior heat source compared to heat lamps.

Cornsnakes don t need the high temperatures that pythons and boas need. At night the temperature should drop to about 70 f 21 c. Your corn snake s vivarium should measure around 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. Heat mats are preferred because they provide no light meaning that they can keep your snake warm 24 hours a day.

Personally i use the new arcadia deep heat projector dhp for all my snake setups. Snakes from tropical countries like ball pythons require higher temperatures than snakes from more temperate climes. One of the best methods of heating for corn snakes is an exo terra heat mat should be used with heatmat holder if using in wooden vivarium. We try to provide this heat over 1 3 of the enclosure while letting the rest of the enclosure cool to 70 o f on the opposite side.

If your home temperature is colder than your snake s natural habitat you ll need to decide how to heat your snake s tank. They warm their bodies by basking in the sun or by lying on a warm surface. Naturally corn snakes would be experiencing temperatures of around 90 o f in the sun. Most snake owners choose heat lamps heat mats or both.

You will have to meet the animal s heating requirements to ensure its overall health. Cornsnakes do need a heat mat at one side of the vivarium leaving the other side cool so he she has a choice of temperature.