Reptile heat mats & strips are designed to provide contact heat for your reptile and are not designed for raising ambient temperatures in their enclosure. They provide infrared heat at a wavelength invisible to the human eye and heat objects in the vivarium rather than the air.
We recommend and trust HabiStat Heat Mats & Strips. We use them extensively for our own animal enclosures.
Producing ultra long wavelength infrared heat, they are a carbon impregnated cloth and are made in the UK.
Reptiles absorb this infrared heat in a manner very similar to basking in a natural environment. Heat mats are commonly used to provide heat for many species of snake, lizards and invertebrates.
When installed correctly a heat mat is usually the only heat source that will be required for rack type systems. This is of course dependant upon the ambient heat in the room being adequate.
They should always be used together with and controlled by a thermostat. The HabiStat Mat Stat is designed specifically for use with heat mats. For the most effective precise control we recommend the HabiStat Pulse Thermostat.
Important:
You should never install a heat source and then leave it unattended. So you must therefore establish that your installation is correct and that the vivarium is being maintained at the desired temperature. Never expose your animals to any risk of over heating. Once installed, heating and temperature should be tested for a minimum of 48 hours prior to the introduction of any animals. Do not risk any animals safety! If you are in any doubt, consult a professional / qualified electrician.
