Exo Terra Heat Mat 16 W PTC – Self-Regulating Reptile Heater

The 16 W covers a larger warm area for mid-size tanks, as the main heat for some non-basking species or as a top-up for others.

How it heats

• Conductive heat passes through the glass to make a local warm area, so your animal can move between warm and cool.

• Self-regulating PTC (positive temperature coefficient): as the element warms, its resistance rises and it draws less power, so it heats up fast and then eases off on its own.

• Carbon fibre spreads the heat more evenly than older resistance-wire mats, with fewer hot spots.

• No light, so it can run day or night without upsetting your lighting schedule.

It suits reptile, amphibian, and planted terrariums. Amphibians are sensitive to excess heat, so keep an eye on temperature and humidity. Some tropical invertebrates also benefit when the room runs cool, though bottom heat does not suit burrowers.

Choosing a size

Tank volume is only a starting point. Room temperature, ventilation, and your animal's needs matter as much.

Setting it up

1. Pick the spot on the outside of the glass, under or on the side, and leave plenty of the floor unheated. The adhesive is permanent, so be sure before you peel the backing.

2. Clean and dry the glass.

3. Press the mat on so the whole heating surface touches the glass.

4. Use the rubber spacers to keep a gap between the terrarium and the surface it sits on, so heat is not trapped underneath.

5. Connect a thermostat and place its probe as the thermostat and mat instructions advise.

6. Let it settle, then check the warm and cool sides with a separate thermometer before your animal goes in.

Safety

Self-regulating does not mean it cannot overheat. Poor mounting or trapped heat can still cause problems, and the PTC element cannot hold a set enclosure temperature on its own, which is why a thermostat is recommended.

Questions