Some of the bulbs can be really touchy and delicate, they don't like a lot of turning on/off or any movement many say will damage it but usually they just pop and die, don't explode. I don't like bulbs at all for this reason, they don't last and they crap out quickly it seems. Is there any chance it got splashed with water? There's no need for light emitting bulbs for a ball python and would be easier to go to a ceramic heat emitter on a dimmer if you are heating by lamps. They seem to last pretty well-I've only had one of those die on me over the years.