How much heat do you think a heating pad gives off?

[Kaorte]

Well over 100*, enough to cook your snake over time. That is why any and all belly heat needs to be used with a reptile thermostat or rheostat at the least.

So then its a bad idea to leave it on all the time. Mine has been on for a while i felt underneath it and it was just warm but i dont know about on the other side. Mine in underneath the glass on his glass tank.