Let me start by saying I know a 10 gallon enclosure is too small. It will only be for about a month, hopefully less. I have been wanting a ball python for a while and have done a ton of research. The plan was to get a 50 gallon pvc enclosure and have everything all set before getting the bp. (Then upgrading to a 4x2x2 in about a year) My fiancé and I went to an expo this past weekend and fell in love with a banana cinnamon male and my fiancé jumped the gun and bought it with a 10 gallon starter tank (came with a uth, water bowl, a half log hide, and cypress mulch). I went to a local reptile specialty store and bought 2 identical hides with only 1 small entrance for either side of the enclosure, a climbing stick, several plants/vines, a thermostat for the uth and a hygrometer/thermometer. I’ve gotten the humidity to consistently stay between 68%-78%. But I’m struggling with temperature. I can’t get the ambient temp above 75. The temperature in his warm side hide is measuring between 85-92 with a heat laser. But everywhere else is less. I have a 50w che with a thermostat but I’m worried that will be too much for a 10 gallon, so I haven’t set it up. His name is Soft Steve and he is very small, (only 86g) but he did eat for me yesterday with no problem, and has been coming out of his warm hide and exploring the last couple nights. Any advice is appreciated!!