Quote Originally Posted by Megs View Post
I read the directions. That's what it said to do.
You're right the directions on some of them tell you to put it on the side. I was a bit confused when I bought my first one but for a ball python at least, you want it on the bottom. It gives them a nice hot spot for belly heat which helps them with their digestion. Like it's been said though, you want to make sure you buy a thermostat to plug it into. It only takes a moment for them to malfunction and cook/burn your snake. The instructions also don't seem to ever mention the importance of that. I think that's why so many people go without one in the beginning.