Before you buy a thermostat, I'd recommend going to MGReptiles.com and reading what he has to say about the inexpensive ones. He claims that the ones that sell for less than $40 in most places are set up so that full voltage runs through the probe. If the probe wire became abraded and the metal were exposed, you'd put full house current through your cage. I don't know enough about the electronics of those probes to confirm or dispute this opinion, but the possibility caused me to buy one of the better although more expensive thermostats.

I'd also be interested in seeing your setup to understand why the pad may be too hot. Regardless of anything else, I agree with the recommendation to get a thermostat, but maybe other things are happening that lead to higher temperatures than you expect. What kind of heat do you use with your corn snakes. Obviously, you have some experience in providing heat to a snake. Are you using the same kind of pad with your ball python that you use with your corns?

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

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