You need to pick up a few things. A digital thermometer, you can get them at petco, a no contact thermometer (the one with the lazer).. The ambient temperature (the one that the digital thermometer reads) should be in the low to mid 80s. The non contact thermometer should read one side as 90ish, and the other side as in the 80s. I'm using a 60w and a 40w and my temperatures are perfect. If you're using a 100w or a 75w in the same size tank as mine, your temps probably aren't right. Ball pythons are easy to care for if you have the right tools. Please pick up those few things. Your snake should have a water dish large enough for it to lay in. And two separate hides, one on each side. Don't have any belly heat (heat rocks, heating pads etc).