CaptainRatbag
Very Well-Known Member
I don't get this logic, heat emitters do not emit UV so i'm not sure why you would even bring up things like D3...?
Also, a heat emitter suitably controlled by a thermostat by no mean blasts the reptile with heat that leaves them feeling 'sunburnt'. On the contrary, i use a heat emitter for my python and on placing my hand under the emitter i certainly do not feel the sort of heat that you claim. Rather, i get a warm basking spot and a gentle heat gradient throughout the rest of the enclosure.
In fact, i would argue that heat emitters may be useful for more arboreal snakes who don't tend to spend all that much time on the ground (where the heat mat would presumably be located).
My logic is that in my untrained opinion from what I have read, it is not critical for most pythons to have either a basking light, nor a UV light. (The opposite for lizards/monitors because they get thier D3 from uv, whereas pythons get it from thier food)
Your heat emitter must be different from the one I have, mine is 100w and when it is on, the heat I feel from it at 40cm (the height of the enclosure it was in, face of emitter to floor of enclosure) is quite harsh (to me.... my own opinion). I am very happy for you, that you are happy with your set up.... thats great.
I find that heatmats heat my arboreal snakes really well (heat rises) and due to the cost of electricity these days, I would much rather continue using my 6 (2 x 15w and 4 x 20w) heatpads to heat my enclosures (if all on at same time = 140w) than 6 emitters (100w x 6 = 600w) as well as the cost of purchasing 6 better progressive thermostats, 6 heavy duty, heat resistant light fittings, 6 protective cages (which can get hot enough to burn a snake.... again, simply my own opinion) Then I would have to mount the lights in the enclosures which take up room..... So I personally prefer and reccommend heat mats correctly placed with no rocks or heavy objects (hides) on them, digging in....
My snakes (in my signature) spend time in thier branches, time in thier hides.....whatever takes thier fancy at the time. They seem very happy with the setup.
My oldest heatmat is 4 years old and still soldiering on..... I am very happy with my set ups and the low cost of running them, and I am happy for you that you are equally happy with yours