If heat is the only thing your after, it would be better to just get a ceramic heat emitter and put it on a thermostat too. You'll save a ton of money in the long run by not buying replacement bulbs all the time. If you want light for the snake, just get an aquarium striplight, or any florescent fixture and either put it on a timer or just turn it on when you want to view the snake. They don't really need a light.