Hey there - I would never suggest running heat for a ball python without a thermostat or rheostat. Heat tape and Heat pads can reach temperatures in excess of 115 degrees which could severly injure your snake.
Alot of people run flexwatt heattape which vary in wattage (seen below). All of these would be too hot without the use of a thermostat, same as with heat pads.
3" at 6W/ft
3" at 10W/ft
4" at 8W/ft
11" at 20W/ft
Rheostats are often a good temporary solution to not having a thermostat. A "light dimmer" can be purchased from somewhere like Home Depot or Walmart and can be used along side a digital thermometer to ensure you have the right temperature. Keep in mind rheostats "FAIL ON" so if it were to malfunction your heat source will have full power.
Low wattage density heat pads are often advertised as "reptile friendly" and that they can be used without thermostats due to low wattage (8 watts and under), however you are running the risk of temperature spikes and the overall not knowing that your temps are regulated.
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