First ball python!!

[PitOnTheProwl]

I feel like none of you have read the manual that comes along with heating pads. It says that you always have to put it under the tank, and either a reptile carpet or paper towel layer before the substrate. It also says if your home gets over 26.6 degrees Celsius you may need a thermostat or you can unplug the heat pad for a while.

The cool side is supposed to be cool. Also, these are not arboreal snakes, they spend time on the ground. They don't need heat that's frog or gecko would need, they prefer belly heat.

I feel like I need to slam my head against the desk so I can take a nap.
WAKE UP AND BUY THE CORRECT EQUIPMENT!!!!!
You want to defend your legless stand then go buy a non contact thermometer and give us the real measurements. 95 degrees is the max you want on the surface of the glass that your UTH is mounted to. Guess what I can tell you to do with the reptile carpet or paper towels?? Hello your snake can and will burrow.
You really cannot be this hard headed can you?
Did or have you even looked and the burn photos from someone that thought they were as smart as you THINK you are?