summer time.

If ambient temps can be kept mid 80s, hot spots are unnecessary. I use ambient room heating with no hot spot year round.

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Originally Posted by Mr Sully

There are some snakes that live at 80/82.. Not Balls though..

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My BPs, who spend the whole winter with an ambient temp of 80 and no hot spot would disagree.

Any heat source should be regulated by a thermostat, if your house stays over 90 24/7 the hotspot will be kept off anyway. No reason to unplug it.

I run zero belly heat except in my isolation rack which is not in my snake room. I used to but when my collection reached a certain size it became impractical. It absolutely does not hurt to have it, but they do not need it if you can provide the proper conditions. I have a room dedicated to ball pythons only. I keep the temps between 84 and 89 year round. They breed, digest and poop just fine. In your case maintaining the proper humidity is where I would primarily have concerns.