the only thing that i would add is that i was under the impression that ball pythons are generally not active during the day, so the fact that yours is active and hanging out high in the tank may be a sign of stress or insecurity. i'm no expert, so if this logic isn't correct please tell me. i know that as soon as mine got acclimated to the tank, he rarely left his hides in the middle of the day. even now the only way i know he is regulating temps is when i open the tank and he is in a different hide.