Yes. half of the tank needs to be the hot side, half of the tank needs to be the cool side. This along with identical hides and proper humidity are the top 3 that you must have. You will not get the proper temperature gradient with a hot middle... the four inches in the middle will be hot, and the four inches on either side will be warm. The snake will not be able to move to a 82 degree cold spot when it needs to.