Snake advice please - Royal Python

[Rob l]

Hi , bopught a Royal Python today after much thought and deliberation. The petstore was very helpful and supplied everything I needed. However I was supplied a heat mat , vivarium , wood chippings, cave ect. Should I put the heat mat under the cave hidey hole or in a different place in the vivarium i'm worried that with the cave on top of the heat mat the snake may become too warm. Thanks in advance.
It is a domesticated animal it was born in captivity, dont forget , dogs were wild at one time. Although, that said I do respect your view...a moses
wooden vivarium so cannot go under floor , only in tank , but i do have the mat in one extreme corner.

[crab]

hi there just to let you know i have a royal python which i inherited from my son and its the best pet ive ever owned and my heat mat is at the side of the tank on the outside of course and i also have a thermometer fixed inside to read the temp so shadow doesnt get too warm or too cold also he has a seperate feeding box for his mice i never feed him in the tank he loves to be handled and also you will notice just before your snake sheds his eyes will go opaque it looks like they are blind all quite natural he also likes to go through his water to keep moist and shadow also has a log to hide under and plenty of wood chippings i hope this helps you in a small way please dont hesitate to contact me as its nice to know someone else has a python too have fun because my children now love reptiles

[Blake H]

i would just put it under the cave then get another hide on the other side of tank or w/e so it has a cool hide and warm hide

[Shane N]

you shoud put it under the tank and put tin foil on top of the pad it helps !!!!

[Ron]

I made my own vivarium for mine out of two old bedside tables, I prefer using an infra red lamp which I've wired into a dimmer switch to control the temperature.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2522789606_e9756b2942_o.jpg

His cave and hidey hole are not good places for the reason you mention, this is where he will probably spend most of his time.

Put it in the lit area and make sure you also have a thermometer in the vivarium to keep a check on the temperature, I think they make great pets, and as you rightly say, most are born and bred in captivity.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/2238470356_b12acdf903_o.jpg