My little Ball Python homie

[Stormy]

I put the thermometer directly on the heat pad and it said 96. With the substrate over it, it read about 90-92. So should I turn it off until I get a new one? I don't wanna burn him.

Yes, turn it off until you get a thermostat to regulate it. You don't need a new heat pad; you just need to regulate the one you have.

Please turn it off before your snake burrows under the substrate and gets burned.

Take a look at Pit on the Prowl's picture on the correct set up.