I dont know if its the thermometer or if its just me!! im so stressed..i really want that ball python!!!?

If you don't have a thermostat you definitely need one. You should never use a heat mat without one or you risk a serious burn. The heat mats are capable of getting up to 120 degrees. I don't like rheostats very much as they don't adjust to the temperatures around them. If the room gets up to 90 the heat mat should turn off, but a rheostat continues to give power to the mat. It doesn't recognize that it's already warm enough. Your hand is terrible for recognizing temperatures. The digital thermometer with the probe on the substrate under the hide for a correct temp.