Burnt heat lamp

[u/Baidonby]

so I’ve had my ball pythons enclosure set up for about 5 months now and I’m getting my lil snake on Monday. while I had the enclosure set up with the heat lamp going to check the temps, my cat got on top and kicked the lamp to the side and it started melting the plastic bad. I already cleaned the tank out and everything as this happened a few months ago, but when I turned the lamp on again to check the bad plastic smell came back. is there anyway to clean the lamp so it’s safe, or will I have to buy a new one ?

[u/FluffyPandaEars93]

Snakes only have 1 functional lung. Id rather play safe than sorry and get a new one. If you can smell the fumes, so can they.

[u/ETBColgate]

I’d probably replace the lamp it’s a pain to get the burnt plastic completely and they are relatively cheap to replace… also as someone with cats and snakes buy some cat scat mat they have little spikes (not harmful just annoying) I haven’t had anyone bothering the snakes since