Overhead heat sources, such as heat lamps or CHE's, are not recommended for any enclosure where the snake requires high humidity as they permit too much warm, humid air to escape out the top; the heat source must be separated from the animal and the air escapes around or through the fixture. A head source like an RHP works since the top of the enclosure is solid and the RHP is physically in the enclosure, but it's not really hot enough to burn your snake.
Heat pads or UTH's are recommended not necessarily because overhead versus belly heat is better, but because it's ideal for snakes that need high humidity in the enclosure.
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