the proper AMBIENT TEMPS in a ball pythons enclosure should be between 82-84. that is the overall air temps in the cage. the hot spot needs to be at least 88-92 degrees for a ball to properly digest its food. I have my hot spots set at about 90 on top of the bedding or paper, and under that, right on top of the heat source, is about 112...and I have a few animals that will lay directly on top of the heat source...under the bedding. I have never had a snake burn its self. I believe where snakes burn themselves is when the ambient temps in the rest of the cage is too cold and the snake will not move off of the heat. if you have your temps correct, the snake will move around and thermoregulate and NEVER burn its self with a hot spot of up to 115. the snakes know where they are most comfortable, no matter how much we think we know better than them, we do not. give your animal the proper temp range, and they will choose what best fits them...