A little advice please..........

Mujician · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 07:19 PM

As you may (or may not) know I'm a teacher (not your average class teacher - but I travel round different schools teaching little'uns how to play brass instruments). ANYWAY - I teach one lad who know a little bit about snakes and the family has a pet corn snake - 'Charlie'. After the lesson the usual reptile chat ensues! From what I can gather - Charlie is heated by a heat mat with no thermostat. NOW - the question is - how do I try and rectify the situation without getting the parents backs up? I need to write them a letter anyway and thought I could put some advise in that, but how would I word it? Thanks, Ben

peaches · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 09:36 PM

I wouldn't put it in a letter, just bring in up in conversation when you see them again, something like 'What thermostat do you use? I use a (whatever), was thinking about the ones with an alarm, what do you think?'

Just nice and friendly, nobody likes to be preached to.

paulskin · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 10:22 PM

i hear not everyone uses themostats anyway,some of the small heatmats dont get that hot.i was told at a few rep shops not to bother with a stat althought i chose to

NBLADE · #4 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulskin

i hear not everyone uses themostats anyway,some of the small heatmats dont get that hot.i was told at a few rep shops not to bother with a stat althought i chose to

i tested how hot a small heat mat could get to, (with no reptiles obv) it reached 115 f, which is definately too hot, and could cause severe damage.

Mujician · #5 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaches

I wouldn't put it in a letter, just bring in up in conversation when you see them again, something like 'What thermostat do you use? I use a (whatever), was thinking about the ones with an alarm, what do you think?'

Just nice and friendly, nobody likes to be preached to.

I don't see the parents - hence the need to write a letter!!! Still think its the best plan, but what do other people think? Thanks, Ben

darwengray · #6 (**permalink**) 14-03-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBLADE

i tested how hot a small heat mat could get to, (with no reptiles obv) it reached 115 f, which is definately too hot, and could cause severe damage.

Yes but under a tub or viv that temp would not be apparent inside.

NBLADE · #7 (**permalink**) 14-03-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darwengray

Yes but under a tub or viv that temp would not be apparent inside.

it was through a wooden viv, that was the temp inside it,

slither61 · #8 (**permalink**) 15-03-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBLADE

i tested how hot a small heat mat could get to, (with no reptiles obv) it reached 115 f, which is definately too hot, and could cause severe damage.

Hi all,

If not caught in time at that temp it is fatal, I also tested a heat mat at around 115 with a laser temp device.

Better be safe than sorry get a stat.

slither61

rachel132002 · #9 (**permalink**) 15-03-2008, 02:44 AM

Dear Sir/Madam

You may be aware i recently did a talk on reptiles during a class. I was extremely pleased to hear *child* say you also kept them and show such a keen interest in snakes and such an eagerness to learn. *child* knowledge of reptiles was excellent for his/her age and s/he is obviously a very keen animal lover and very eager to care for his/her animals as best as they can and seems to be doing a great job. However i was slightly concerned that no use of a thermostat was mentioned and as reptile enthusiasts yourself i am sure you want the best for your animal so i would reccomend investing in a thermostat to use with your heater as it is a brilliant piece of equipment as it regulates the temperature of the snakes enclosure so it never gets too hot or cold which means the snake will have perfect conditions which will allow you and your son/daughter to enjoy keeping it even more by seeing more of it in the evenings.

Please don't feel i am intruding, i just like to share my passion for reptiles with others and it is not often i get the opportunity to share it with children of that age so i just wanted to perhaps offer a small tip and let you know how pleased i was with *childs* knowledge of snakes, i was truely impressed.

Something like that may go down well as you slip it in and are busy praising their child so hopefully theyll just be proud and not go aahh bloody interfering busybody!

OR.

Class project on reptile care, child might go woohoo eassyyy and ask mum and dad which will confirm 1 way or another if stat used as it may've just been missed by the child when talking.

Then when project done hand out info sheets on snakes and a care/answer sheet on exactly how to look after a reptile with a big emphasis on stats?

Rach

Lee N · #10 (**permalink**) 15-03-2008, 07:45 AM

things like this really annoy me. why write a letter? yer by all means when u next see him dnt just bring it up out the blue but u can tell him why u use a thermostat, if his animal is fine then leave it.

It'd be so pissed if somebody wrote me a letter sayin something like that. I'd just be like nosey b*tch

Lee

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