Heat Lamp without Heat pad for my BP. Beginner.

Hey everyone. So I've had my BP a little less than a week now and I've had plenty of learning experiences already. I have a question about heating at the moment.

I had a digital thermometer in my tank and put it under the substrate over the heating pad. (I know now it was unregulated.) the temperature was reading between 99-102. I searched on here and all my readings on thermostats and wide open heat pads clicked and I shut off the pad.

However, prior to this realization my BP had been using both hides. Coming out and roaming. (don't know if it is male or female) I gave it its first feed last night and it went great. I accidentally dropped the mouse and before I could pick it up, BP had already struck and constructed. Took about 10 minutes as it was trying to eat backwards for about 5.

Since I've cut off the heat pad I have been using a zoomed nocturnal infrared heat lamp over the "hot side" the temperature on the substrate is ~92.

My my question is, can I continue to use the heat lamp run 24hours until my thermostat (herpstat intro+) arrives, or put the heat pad back on and monitor best I can so that belly heat is provided?

Also, about half her head and 3 inches of body still have dead skin since it's been in my house and I can't get it off. Suggestions?

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum SL.

I'm down to just one tank now, but have had up to 4 set up at one time.

I ran the heat lamps 24/7. Had no choice since I did not use belly heat.

However, I check(ed) temps a few times a day with a heat gun and regulate(d) the temps with a table top dimmer switch.

For the stuck shed, dampen a towel with warm water. Best water temp is between 80-85 for the comfort of your snake. Hold the towel and give a little squeeze action as your snake crawls through the wet towel. The shed normally comes off within a few passes. Sometimes you need to gently rub the harder spots offs with the damp towel.