Whether you use heat mats basking lights heat lamps ceramic heating elements or a combination of these they should all be placed at one end of the tank.
													
																	Vivarium heat mat. 
									
	
		
	
																	The exo terra heat mat is a terrarium substrate heater that simulates these surfaces heated by the sun. 
																	While these are a safe low cost and generally effective way of providing artificial heat they re not without their weaknesses. 
																	They re a good way to provide gentle warmth and they heat the floor of your vivarium much like the sun would heat the ground in your reptile s natural environment. 
																	Heating pads can be attached from the bottom or the side. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Another option is a basking lamp or heat lamp. 
																	Most invertebrate keepers and even many snake owners use low wattage heat mats to warm their vivariums. 
																	This produces a natural gradient where it is warmer at one end or the other. 
																	Once you ve decided which rout to go the next step is to get a thermostat. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	The main problem being that they only produce a gentle warmth. 
																	Exo terra s heat mats are an ideal 24 hour primary or secondary heat source for tropical or temperate reptile and amphibian species and essential as a nighttime heat source for many desert species. 
																	Heater cable can be buried in the substrate providing a source of even heating in the vivarium. 
																	Heat mats are used to maintain a constant temperature throughout your vivarium. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	This mat is a great option for reptiles amphibians arachnids and planted terrariums. 
																	These mats provide 24 hours of even heat and can be used as a primary or secondary heat source. 
																	Wuhostam 7w 11 x 5 9 inch waterproof reptile heating pad warmer with temperature controller power adjustment under tank terrarium heater heat mat for pets seedling small animals 2 pack 4 2 out of 5 stars 141. 
																	Tesluck reptile heating pad 14w 20w waterproof reptile heat pad under tank terrarium with temperature control safety adjustable reptile heat mat for turtle tortoise snakes lizard 4 6 out of 5 stars 95. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Whether you choose to mount it under your glass terrarium or on the side your pet is going to love having the option to rest on a nice warm surface. 
																	Proper heating is essential for reptiles. 
																	It s a heating mat which is designed to stick to the bottom of a terrarium. 
																	The problem with heat mats. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	The cable is generally waterproof and can be buried in. 
																	Similar to a heat pad heater cable is basically a long insulated cable that contains a heating element inside. 
																	In this section i ll go over the pros and cons of both.