Hi all. I need to explain my situation so please bare with me. I have a 30 gallon tank for my baby ball python. The UTH is consistently about 88-93 F, while her cool side drops way too low to about 70-73, unless I have the space heater going and then the ambient temps are fine (which is what I've been doing for the time being), but that is not working for me anymore bc it is heating and drying out the air in my room. I stuck a small UTH to the side wall of the cool side in hopes that it would help elevate the ambient temp, which it helped a bit but isn't consistent enough to be relied upon. I am reluctant to using any heat lamps bc she has been going through a pretty bad shed (that's a whole other post in and of itself). Yes, I already do the warm bath/steam soaks but for some reason she wont rub off the dead skin on her head and neck area....ANYWAY....
Also, I'm not sure if there is something faulty with the thermometer for her warm side or if it is true when it reads at only about 74 for the ambient temp, while the warm hide is still reading at 90-94. I'm stressed out about it. What can I do to raise the ambient temps without heating lamps that will only dry out her skin and further complicate her shed? I thought about getting another UTH to stick on the wall of her warm side as well, but I am concerned that she may climb and rub against it and possibly burn herself.....i dunno. I know I am ay overthinking all of this but I just want to do what is best for her. What should I do?