Slightly concerned....

[ipsilon]

...how long should it take for a heat mat to reach 75/80 degrees? I'm not sure if I have a faulty one on my hands but Dia's faunarium is only in the mid 60s at the hot end and she's burrowing to reach the heat. Should I be concerned? I've only had her a few hours and don't want to make her ill on her first night in a new home!

[skimpy]

Originally Posted by ipsilon

...how long should it take for a heat mat to reach 75/80 degrees? I'm not sure if I have a faulty one on my hands but Dia's faunarium is only in the mid 60s at the hot end and she's burrowing to reach the heat. Should I be concerned? I've only had her a few hours and don't want to make her ill on her first night in a new home!

did you not set up the viv before you got her? it might take all evening for the mat to heat up the viv.

[Faith]

how long was the viv set up before you put her in?
If you only turned it on when she was put in there id put a thermometer where she is burrowing and double check the stat

[ipsilon]

I've got the thermostat probe in where she's burrowing, the thermometer just above. Have had it all on for a good couple of hours now. I don't want to disturb her too much! And no, was not aware that it would take so long for the heat mat to reach the right temp. Somehow missed that gem amid all the other information. What a MORON. I feel awful now, my poor cold snake Is it worth putting a light near to the hot end to try and get her warm until the mat heats up?

[Young_Gun]

She should be fine for a little while as the mats heating up.

Just keep an eye to check the mat is heating up and maintaining a stable temp.

[Faith]

try putting you heating on i know it sounds silly but that will warm up the room temps and should help to keep her warm
And no your not a moron its easy to miss little bits of info its ok it shouldnt do her any harm for a few hours

[ipsilon]

I just have whacked the heating on. We generally don't use it (bad for the environment etc.) but I thought it would help. She seems perfectly happy to be honest, she's now out of burrowing mode and zooming around trying to find holes to get out of. I'll keep a close eye on her though, and keep checking those temps. I could bloody kick myself though, logically it makes sense that it would take a while to get to the right temp. *sigh*

[Furrag]

I've been fartarsing about for the past few days with heat mats - took mine an hour and a bit to reach 82f.

For peace of mind, you could use a hot water bottle, but have a probe on it beforehand to take the temp - and remember - what is hot to us, is burning hot to snakes!

[ipsilon]

That's the thing Furrag - it's been on since about two thirty and still doesn't seem hot enough. I don't have a hot water bottle unfortunately...and I would be really really nervous about using one anyway. I wouldn't want to burn my baby!

[skimpy]

Originally Posted by ipsilon

That's the thing Furrag - it's been on since about two thirty and still doesn't seem hot enough. I don't have a hot water bottle unfortunately...and I would be really really nervous about using one anyway. I wouldn't want to burn my baby!

Try not to worry too much many keepers have experienced power dips when their mats etc werent working. Snakes are hardy, yours will be fine soon enough.

try filling a 2l bottle with warm water and popping it in...rather than a hot water bottle.

Good luck x