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We could run one long cord or heat tape throughout the entire enclosure, but it is more energy-efficent and less chance of hot spots developing if single strips connected parallel is done. Now on the on hand, if I build my rack vertically I will save more room, but I will waste wattages; on the other hand, if I build my rack horizontally, the longer the cord or tape, the more uneven heat will be produced, but I don't wast vital supplies and wattages.
Now, I suppose there is a logic in distributing the heat evenly for hatchlings until they outgrow the inital tubs. I think it either help them asborrb the yolk sacs and get them started on feeding pinkies quicker, or it is just too difficult to give proper temperature gradiant in a small tub.
How much do Anthill cost? I really don't know. Well, I know over here, most of the Antaresia were considered as one species during the 70s, 80s and early 90s; many breeders still consider them to be one species today. You have to remember the taxomonic changes in the past 40 years, and many of our existing specimens are from a collection from the 70s without any awareness in locale differences. To quote Roy Stockwell, "The red ones we called desert childrens.. These eventually became stimpsoni but there were breeders with all variations mixing and matching.... This means that many bloodlines could likely be mixes anyway...." So some of them might be hybrid. However there are some purebred stock around. For instance the Blonde Mac or Cape York Spotted Python was preserved by VPI. So I don't know how much a pureblood Anthill is, but I do know that they are very rare over here and msot of the breederrs ask to inquire about the price; you only get to see a small batch every couple of years. The last time I have seen them they were selling for $400 USD each. I haven't seen the price tag in Canada yet, and many people don't talk about it, but they do exist over here.
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