It is always best to put the temp probe on the glass so as to avoid any risk of the snake getting burned; balls are known for getting under newspaper!
If you're thinking of heating with a UTH, I would put only about an inch of substrate in the tank. I think any more than that and the substrate will hold in the heat.
It's good that you're getting the thermostat, hides, temp and hygrometer gauge, etc., prior to getting your snake. This way, you'll be able to start running it and smooth out any glitches that happen along the way
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