housing and heat mats

Lucy · (#1)

hello my leo is currently in a exoterra viv with the heat mat underneath, i will be moving her to a wooden viv soon as she is growing fast, i have read that the heat mat needs to be under the tank, but in the wooden tank it will have to sit in it as the heat wont come through the wood as easy (or will it?).

my leo likes to remove all the substate away from the heat mat (under glass )and ly on it that way, so im worried she will do the same except come face to face with it and maybe hurt herself

what do you reckon?

thanks

Jools · (#2)

Hi Lucy. yes you are right in thinking that the heatmat goes INSIDE a wooden viv. It should be connected to a thermostat to stop it overheating. That way your Leo can't burn itself and you can regualate the temperatures properly so that you get a floor temp of 88-90F at the warm side of the viv. For substrate over the top of the heatmat I use either slate, tiles or vinyl flooring (Lino). That way your Leo can't get underneath.

Lucy · (#3)

thanks ill try that as she is on paper towels/tea towels and she just digs or shoves them out the way to get to the heat.
she is the 1st leo ive owned and as my other lizards/snakes like to sit on it they have tougher skin than a leo! so ill try lino thanks

Jools · (#4)

I use lino in most of my vivs now - it's great. If you can get one that has a textured surface all the better. Just cut it to fit the whole of the bottom of the viv, add a few rocks if you want, and the hides of course lol. Try to buy the cheapest sort that isn't too thick / padded so that the heat transmits well. Heat it for a couple of days before introducing the Leo so that any fumes will have gone - you could do this by hanging it on a radiator or with the heatmat :-)

mowgli · (#5)

Yeah have to agree with Jools that cheap lino is really easy to use and maintain.
If you have a Wilkinsons or similar near you then you can pick up a pack there much cheaper than some where like B&Q.

It's easy to cut into fit, cleans easy and you will normally have a cpl left in a pack for when the current ones get old and knackered.