I don't feel qualified to say anything about the RI issues, but it sounds like you don't have a thermostat to regulate your heat source! A thermostat is absolutely necessary, not optional!

Also, a reliable thermometer and/or an IR heatgun is advisable too, to check proper temperature (the surface temp should be 80F on one side and 90F on the other, anything over 95F is too hot and you possibly run risk burning your snake! An unregulated heat source is an injury waiting to happen....).

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