I don't use lights on ball pythons because they are very seclusive and easily stressed snakes. If they have to come out of their hides to seak heat, they will feel vulnerable and may not get the proper thermal regulation they need to grow, digest thier food, etc. Heating pads are the way to go if you ask me. I use the human heat pads from wal-mart (NO auto-shutoff).....they work much better than the so-called "reptile" heating pads often sold at petstores. At least the human pads have different settings (low is usually all you need). I have measured Zoo_Med heat pads that got up to 135 degrees!!! 90 is the hottest for an ideal warm area for a ball python.