Hi I’m upgrading to a pvc 4x2x2 enclosure for a ball python and want to know if I can place my heat panel on the side of the enclosure or if it’s a bad idea? Should I just place it the ceiling?
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I’d personally place it on the ceiling.
Ball Pythons tend to climb sometimes and I wouldn’t want to risk the BP getting burned trying to climb the RHP. If its on the ceiling they are way less likely to come in contact with it.
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Remember in nature the heat comes from above the snake, not the side……
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While I think placing it on the side of the enclosure would be fine in terms of the heat panel functioning, as @cmsreptiles said, my concern would be that the snake could come into prolonged contact with it on the side of the enclosure, which would be potentially unsafe. While RHPs don’t get hot enough to burn from a quick touch, they do get hot enough that you don’t want the snake to be able to sit on it or against it for any length of time, as that could cause the snake to overheat.
Is there a reason you don’t want to mount it on the ceiling? Just curious.
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No was just thinking dumb ideas out loud lol 
thought it may create a better heat gradient but makes sense it’s not like conventional forced air heat with a fan…
I really appreciate the help