How do I set my new vivarium up properly?
Cornsnakes vivs are wonderfully easy to set up. The heat mat should be outside and underneath the vivarium on one side, so it only heats half of it (the warm side, for obvious reasons!). You do not need a lamp but you must make sure the heat mat temps are regulated as incorrect temps causes the snakey all sorts of problems. If you can get a thermostat with a probe to measure the temperature, that’s ideal, and they are not expensive. The temparature of the warm side should be mid-high 80s (F). You should take the temperature reading from the hottest place the snake can get to, which will correspond to the centre of the heat mat, UNDERNEATH the substrate. For substrate just steer clear of cedar, as this is toxic, and any type of sand, which can cause an impaction if it is ingested. Most keepers swear by ASPEN shavings as the snakes love to burrow in them and it is the easiest in upkeep. You could also use an astro-turf style substrate but be aware that your snake won’t be able to burrow
