Hey guys. I have a question that might seem odd, so bear with me. Before I got my snakes, and occasionally since then, I have looked up information on proper temps and placement. All the information I have found has been really consistent, but being so has also lead to this question.

For belly heat (UTH) I have yet to find the proper placement for the hot side's probe, which can make a huge difference in temp readings. I use paper towels as my substrate ever since my little spat with mites. I had originally just laid the sensor on top of that for my readings. This, believe it or not, gets pretty annoying, since the sensors are flat and ovular with an opening on only one side (Zilla dual probe)- so it gets bumped, the temp changes.

To complicate things I fond that the temp in the hide was VASTLY hotter than the other location. I cut holes in it to elevate the large difference (before I picked up a dimmer).

Now I am finding literature that talks about heat temps instead of hotspot temps (such as the breeding calendar on 8 Ball Pythons). Where is the proper spot to take the reading? If I put the sensor under the bins UTH I get something along the lines of 110deg, in the hide under the paper towels is lower, and then in the hide but on top of the paper towels is lower than both. huge span in temp. The last is the most annoying since as soon as he touches the sensor, it throws everything out of wack and I don't know if that is really the temp or if it is because it's reading him instead XD

The enclosure I am talking about specifically is a 20gal tank, though my question is more towards general rule of thumb. I have a herpstat running my girls 40gal...while I have been waiting way, way too long for my darn rack to get here- FIVE WEEKS PEOPLE!!

Thank you all in advance! Let me know if anything is unclear.

Pita