You might be able to find the reptitemp 500r at the show you are going to. If you can't find it there, just get a $10 dimmer from home depot to temporarily control the UTH (use the other for the lamp) and then order the thermostat online.
Tape in the enclosure is a bad idea because they can easily get stuck to it. When you get your thermostat, place the probe directly on the UTH OUTSIDE the enclosure. This makes sure that the snake can't mess with it or move it off the UTH. If the probe is moved off the UTH it will spike, cooking the snake.
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