Quote Originally Posted by ArcaneTB View Post
The temperatures on top of the heat mat (glass) is upper 88 - 93. The cool side is currently 79. The ambient is 79-80.

Also, if I add more substrate, it will be much cooler on top of the substrate while the glass is still 88-93. Is this ok?

And I see logs are bad but it chooses it over the hot side hide.

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You can put a little substrate over the heat mat (maybe 1 inch) if it causes problems but it should be fine. The other temperatures are ok as well.
I personally think she chooses the log over the other hide because it's too warm for her. Every ball python is it's own little character. Some are a bit more like divas and others more like neanderthals. Not every ball python likes 93 degrees. Mine leaves it's warm hide even during the day from 92 degrees upwards (and I use a CHE). He just doesn't like it any warmer.
That's also why it's recommended to use two identical hides. Otherwise they choose security over what they actually need. Try it out. It might help the snake. By the way, are you sure your snake fits into the warm hide?
Take two identical hide and a bit more substrate. It might solve your problem.