Is this normal for a new ball?

probably not, snakes like cramped hides, it would be ideal to have 2 identical hides so the snake doesnt play favorites with one and goes to where the temp is right. Maybe buy a hide identical to your new one...

It could be the snake is too hot in its hide, just be glad its a snake that finds a way to get away from the heat. A lot of them will just sit there and cook...

Also you can return that thermometer to any wal mart they have a very light return policy. I dont know if that makes it any easier on you

Okay then, looks like I'll need to get another one of these smaller hides. I'll take the damn thing with me this time. =p

Heres a couple of thermometers at Target I dont know if one is close to you or not.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...mometer&page=1

You want to make sure that you go to the tool section or they may be in the lawn and garden section, but you will see thermometers rain guages, find a digital one with a probe. They are also called weather stations...

Oh awesome! Target is way closer to me than wal-mart!! =D And yeah, I went to the pet section first and then to the kitchen supplies... lol

cool I would search the entire hardware section, they are usually at the same isle as the wall thermostats for your house that control AC and heating...

Eh.. about rheostats. I use them, and they work fine If your room does not change temperature. I have a room thermostat that will keep my snake room the exact temperature I need it to be so that the rheostats keep my UTHs (under tubs, in a rack system) correct. Now I am upgrading soon to Flexwatt hooked to the Helix proportional thermostat that I am using for my incubator now. This is really hands-down the best way to heat a BP enclosure; Flexwatt hooked to one (maybe even two if you desire a backup!) proportional thermostats. I have only ever used Helix, but many people use Johnson Controls with success. And if and when you want more snakes; simply buy identical Flexwatt and hook it to the same thermostat! T-stats have an exact digital number on them that tells you what exact temperature that you're setting it for.. no rheostat does this.

Wow. Helpful information. I'll keep these supplies in mind if I ever want an upgrade. [= Thanks.

I reccomend searching for a good thermometer on ebay or amazon, more specificly a Timex TX5170. Its what I use and its fantastic, it has a nice large screen, indoor/outdoor temps with a probe, hygrometer, min/max temps and even a clock so your snake always knows what time it is.

"and even a clock so your snake always knows what time it is."

LOL =D

This right?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Timex-TX5170-Ind...2em118Q2el1247

That isn't a bad price at all... would one work for my entire aquarium?