getting your first ball python can be very stressful at times, it was for me too. But a couple things to think of are: 1. what room are they being kept in? because for me, i am above a garage so it gets very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. So along with a heating pad, a good thermostat is a big deal. 2. look at where your snake tends to lay in the cage. if it is always on the hot side, it might be too cold in other places, and if it is always on the cool side or soaking in water, it might be too hot. Just remember, not every ball python will be exactly like the ones you read about so you will most likely learn something new each day. Enjoy your ball python!