Is My Ball Python OK?

[Wuattaguan]

No, that's not fine. 118F is enough to burn your snake, which is what we've all been saying this entire time.
Snakes push aspen aside. An inch is not a lot of bedding, and can easily be pushed out of the way. Constant roaming is usually not a great thing, from what I've heard. Typically - if they are not hungry or in breeding mode - they are TOO HOT. They can get touchy (ergo the hissing) if they are too warm as well. They can hiss without being too warm, but it can add to it.

You asked a question, we all answered pretty much the same. I apologize if it's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. Thermostat.

I have been observing the temperature for the sake of proving a point,
The cardboard mat is unmovable (Secured with cornerstones), even I could not slide it off the heat mat with my hands.
The cardboard mat that the snake lays on has been on top of the Heat mat for 3 days now, and the temperature
remains at 90 degrees.

The snake now only roams around to switch from her cool hide, to her warm hide, to her basking spot, then back to the cool hide
She hasn't hissed since I asked about it, and I've handled her multiple times.

I am posting this to prove that a Thermostat is not a "100% required life or death" item.
However, I believe improper placement of the mat can of-course lead to burns.

How can you say the lay will eventually heat up to 118 degrees if it hasn't gone over 90 degrees in over 72 hours?

I understand your point from an "on paper" point of view, but from a first hand point of view, Do I really, truly, need to be spending $50 on a thermostat if my home-tests imply one is not needed?