lighting

i just got a baby ball python and was wondering if i needed a uv light on it cuz i read somewhere that they are nocturnal so they dont need a uv light but they do need a heat lamp

nope, ambient light should be enough for them.

Heat lamps should ONLY be used for boosting ambient temps or for viewing at night. They should not be used as the main heat source for snakes. And no, BPs do not need a UV light...or any light really. But they do like the occasional trip out into the sun on nice warm days.

The best way to heat any snake cage is either with a Radiant Heat Panel (RHP) or an Under Tank Heater (UTH). ZooMed, ExoTerra, Flexwatt heat tape - all these are great heat sources. But make sure that, whatever you use, you have a good thermostat to control it.