Hello everyone, I am new to the BP community and a new owner of a beautiful ball python. I bought a huge tank for him, and it came with a heating pad on the side of the tank. It seems less efficient (heat will escape the exposed side of the pad) than an underbody heating pad. So here's my question..

Is there much of a difference between having the heating element on the side rather than the bottom of the tank?

And would I be safe in unsticking it from the side and moving it to the bottom? I'm not sure if this is specifically made for the side of a tank, or if it even matters at all.

Thanks for all the help.