ball python. are these temps ok?

[new.python.owner]

I have a 20 gallon long. The glass directly above the heating pad is staying at 94
But the ambient temp on the warm side is only 81°f. And thats about an inch above the floor of the enclosure. The ambient temps on the cool side are staying at 78.5°f. Are these twmpa good or will i need a light to help raise ambient temps?

[new.python.owner]

Anyone?

[Scottywelsh]

Do you have a mesh top ?
What heating are you using, just and under tank heater?
94 is fine for the hottest part your snake can touch. What is the temp in the hot hide ?or is the 81f in the hot hide?
78 is fine for the cool side

[new.python.owner]

Its a screen top but about 80% of its covered with tin foil to help keep heat in. I am using only a uth. I dont have the hides in. Should i put them in then measure the temp inside each hide?

[Scottywelsh]

As long as you have a temp of 90f (ish) in the hot hide then the ambient of 82f aint bad. Mine are all around 83f -84f ambient.
And yes you need to put the hides in the tank and get the temps of them. That's what's going to be most important. That and making sure the hottest part isn't going to go above 95.

[new.python.owner]

Alright ill do that. Thanks for the help

[Scottywelsh]

No problem at all. You probably know this but I'll say it anyway. Your gonna need to leave the hides in there for a good few hours before you'll get an accurate temp reading.
Good Luck.

[new.python.owner]

Inside the warm hide is only 86°f

[new.python.owner]

I tried thinning the substrate. Its now about 1/4" and before it was about 3/4". If it needed to could it burrow and rest directly on the glass? The glass directly above the uth is at 92°f.

[Scottywelsh]

Ye I would make the substrate thinner like you have done and yes your snake will definitely be burrowing down and laying on the glass ay some point so 92 is great.