quote from Bob Clark in Reptiles Magazine
1998 - Annual
08 - 14
The Burmese Python - Making It At Home In Your Home
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"the heater may need to be much warmer than the average temperature of the enclosure itself. This is cause for alarm for many novices. It is perfectly acceptable to have a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more directly over (or under) the heat source if this is necessary to maintain the desired ambient temperature. Always be certain, however, that the snake can retreat to a cooler area as it sees fit."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even though the article is on Burms. I figured the principle could aply to any species, so what do you think of having such a "Hot Spot"?