Ball python doesn't like cypress mulch?

[clark.matt9]

I've had my ball python for a little over a month and originally had her on aspen. Based on what I've read, she seems to be doing well. She's never struck, hissed, pissed, or shat on me, and every week she eats immediately when i present the mice. However, when she first shed (1-2 weeks ago) she seemed to have trouble so i helped her out (and got all but a few tiny flakes off) by soaking, letting her rub against me, and helping her pull it off (i did not grip her tightly). My hygrometer says that the cage has been at a steady 50-60% humidity, but I switched to cypress mulch at the recommendation of an employee at the store I got her from. I immediately noticed that it is splintery (i even got a splinter from it) and when I put her in the cage she immediately climbed on top of her hide. About a day after, I noticed that instead of laying flat against the ground in her hide, she basically piles her body on top of itself almost like she is trying to avoid touching the substrate beneath her. Should I change the substrate to something else?

Also, after the first 2-3 weeks of owning her, I rarely see her on the hot spot. My thermometer (that I always place on the ground for a few minutes) steadily typically tells me the hot spot is between 88-92. I even fed her 2 days ago and haven't seen her on the hot spot. Is this normal?