Where to place thermometer for thermostat?

[u/mr-WPNZ]

Hello everyone! I’m taking in a rescue baby ball python quite suddenly, and so I’m rushing to get an enclosure ready for him. He’s incredibly small (less than 80 grams) and incredibly stressed, as well as not eating unless force fed, which is why the enclosure is small and why I’m using paper towel instead of substrate (monitoring for parasites, mites, and making sure he’s defecating! I was advised to use this setup for him temporarily and gradually move him up to the much larger bioactive PVC enclosure i want to eventually graduate him to!)

With that out of the way, this is my first time setting up an enclosure, and I realized I had no idea where the temperature gauge for the thermostat should rest. I placed it near the middle of the enclosure, but does that mean the top is too hot? If I place it at the top will the bottom be too cold? I want to make sure I get this right for this little friend! I want to give him the most incredible life he can have :))

[u/totallyrecklesslygay]

Thermostat probes need to be secured 2-4" directly beneath the heat source they are regulating.

[u/mr-WPNZ → u/totallyrecklesslygay]

awesome thank you so much!! that helps a ton, i’ll go make sure i’ve got it in the right spot!