Do Corn Snakes Need Heat Mats

Naturally corn snakes would be experiencing temperatures of around 90 o f in the sun.

Do corn snakes need heat mats. 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. Your corn snake s vivarium should measure around 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. At night the temperature should drop to about 70 f 21 c. Do you need a heat lamp for a corn snake.

Snakes from tropical countries like ball pythons require higher temperatures than snakes from more temperate climes. They warm their bodies by basking in the sun or by lying on a warm surface. You will have to meet the animal s heating requirements to ensure its overall health. If your home temperature is colder than your snake s natural habitat you ll need to decide how to heat your snake s tank.

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. 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. To achieve this we attach a basking lamp to the ceiling of the enclosure on one side. As a keeper you will have to duplicate this in your corn snake s habitat.

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. Personally i use the new arcadia deep heat projector dhp for all my snake setups. Most snake owners choose heat lamps heat mats or both. In many cases however a heat mat won t get quite as warm as your snake needs.

If you live in a warm area then a heat mat may be enough to create the basking spot that your corn snake needs. Heat mats produce warmth without light and are only good for heating the bottom of an enclosure not the air. Snakes cannot do this. Heat mats are preferred because they provide no light meaning that they can keep your snake warm 24 hours a day.

Corn snakes need a hot area of about 90 f 32 c with a background daytime temperature of 80 f 27 c. 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.