Starmom basically said it as far as getting the temps stable: Insulate the back and sides, make sure the screen top is foil or plastic treated, get a thermostat and a good digital thermometer, and a second UTH for the cool side seems needed (I need two UTHs on all my BP tanks and tubs here).

As for 'constant' temps, DrLew, consider this: Yes, nature varies widely. Yes, temps in the wild fluctuate a lot, especially at night. BUT Ball pythons live mostly underground. The temperatures even a few inches below the surface are a lot more stable and consistent then most people realize.

So, no we don't have to keep the temps in an enclosure at an exact number 24/7...but we DO have to keep the temperatures we pick fairly steady. BPs can handle a fair range of temperatures, but they don't handle fluctuations well.

To JohnNJ: Try the insulation and such and see if things don't improve. If they don't, get back to either Starmom or Myself and we'll try to pinpoint problem areas and help you get everything 'just right'.