as long as your temps are properly set, the snake will be fine. they know where they are comfortable. they are very efficient at picking the temps they need to properly thermoregulate...and they have for thousands of years. so if your temps are right, and from what you say, they are fine...then don't worry about it and let the snake hang out where it is comfortable. if you keep stuffing him in the hide, all you are going to end up doing is stressing the snake, and then you will probably have problems with feeding. an ambient(over all air temp) of between 80-84 degrees is perfect. a hot spot of about 88-90 is good, and you want to shoot for about 70% humidity. you don't really want the coolest part of the enclosure any lower than about 75-78. I have my hot spot at about 90, and that is on top of the substrate. it is about 112 under the substrate right on top of the heat cable...and I have several ball pythons that will burrow into the bedding, or go under the paper and sit right on the hottest part(112 degrees), and sit there for a couple of hours...and have never had a problem. I think you are fine where you are...just let the snake pick where he is the most comfortable.