I can't recommend just a basking light with ball pythons because they do need belly heat (which the light may or may not provide enough of), lights tend to dry out an enclosure, and unless it's a non-visible spectrum light for bp's (UV, blacklight, etc.) it needs to be off at night for proper photo periods. You can try it, especially if the light type isn't a problem, but I'd think it worth the cost an effort to run up to your nearest drug store or Wal-Mart and spend $10 or $15 on a heat pad for humans with adjustable temperature and no auto-shutoff.