I just got a baby Mexican Black Kingsnake today and I don't have a thermostat for the UTH yet (getting from the post office tomorrow)
So I'm only using a 50w overhead red infrared bulb since the UTH isn't plugged in.

My question is this, right now the temperature under the substrate (2 sheets of newspaper) is 85.5F on the hot side, do I really need a UTH?

He's in a 5.5 gallon glass tank.

Thanks in advance.