newbie question

[Thamnophis]

When it gets to cold at night you can better use a heathing mat like on the picture.
That's more natural for the snakes.During nights heath does not come from above, but from underneath (rocks and so that are heathed by the sun during the day).

[Cazador]

Interesting. I guess heat rocks/tape are a bit less popular here because many people, particularly those just investing in new terraria, don't purchase thermostats and end up frying their snakes. Perhaps that's because a lot of Americans start out with garter snakes since they're less expensive and easier to acquire? At any rate, I'm sure you'll agree that people at different stages of herpetoculture are often better suited to use different techniques according to their needs and experience.

Yet, I can't think of any reason that "where" the heat comes from would be an issue. It naturally comes from above during the day and could come from any direction at night. Consider a snake tucked into or under a rotting log or vegetation that produces heat from its own decay (bacterial action) at night. Ultimately, it's their overall body temperature that affects their metabolism, not whether the heat is generated from above, below, or from ambient temp. Kind regards,
Rick

[Thamnophis]

Where the heat comes from is not that important, I agree. But when you place a heathing mat under the terrarium, you have to dim it. Works fine.
Garters need to cool down at night and with a lamp there is a risk that it can stay to warm. So you would have to dim this to.

[Cazador]

This is good advice since even low wattage (50 watt) heat lamps can generate too much heat. I wish I could somehow automatically reduce the heat at night without actually shutting the heat off. I have timers set up on their lighting, but don't know how to "dim" the heaters. Right now, I just have one side heated in order to create a gradient. The snakes just choose what temperature they prefer during the night or day. Any suggestions? Regards,
Rick

[ssssnakeluvr]

I prefer not leaving lights on them at night....they need their day and night cycles like everything else.

[abcat1993]

I agree, not only for the snake, but for me. Since I sleep in the same room as my pets that would get VERY annoying leaving it on, although, my snake is in the part of my dresser that my TV was in because of the dog being "interested" in it (killing it, my other pets, and small animals are Jack Russell instinct).

[Cazador]

Sorry. I have the lights on an automatic timer that turns them off at night. I was wondering how to automatically reduce the heat without turning it off to create better night/day cycles.