just to add to the other poster i would remove the tape from holding down the paper the glue that is used could melt from the heat of the uth and get stuck to your snake or the fumes could hurt it in the long run i use paper in all my tubes and it gets crumped up but it doesnt hurt the animal and just keep the cool side between 80-82 and the warm side 90-92 and you should be set the light from the window isnt needed for the animal but that will be up to you