belly heat

I have a 10/20 uth on the side of a 20 gal long where his hide is. I put a digital temp gauge with probe above the uth and its reading 87.6 on its own with out a thermostat. Is this too hot? he seems to stay in his hide most of the time but have seen him out wondering around if I happen to wake up in the middle of the night. I think he's still getting used to new environment. Ive only had him a week. He's about two years old.
Thanks

Staying in his hide is a good thing. If the python were out wandering around the tank all the time, that doesn't mean it is "exploring", it means the snake is stressed. So a hiding ball python is a happy ball python. As for the temps, a ball python should have a warm side of 90-94. I keep mine at 92.

And your uth really should be on a thermostat.

Needs to be warmer and he's probably looking for food. When did you last feed him and what size?

fed him this past sunday, medium rat, took it like a champ. I covered half the top with a towel to hold in humidity and raise the warm side temp to around 90. using a red 75 watt critter bulb and just opening the window shades to give him his day/night.