Temperature Question

I was just wondering..

I have digital thermometer in each of my two viv's. If I remember correctly, I am supposed to have the probe at the very bottom of the substrate right above the UTH, right? So the temperature is supposed to be about 85*. Well, if the snakes dont burrow and just stay above the substrate in their hides, they aren't getting the proper amount of heat from the UTH that they need in order to digest their food. So should I raise the temperature to where the TOP of the substrate is 85*? I don't want to risk having my snake burrow right on top of the UTH and burning himself, however I don't want him to not be able to properly digest his food because the temperature right at the top of the supstrate isn't 85*. Am I making sense? Lol.

I'm a little distracted while typing this, so forgive me if somehow I messed up and it doesn't make sense.

Anyways, what is the correct way to do this?

I do it like you said.
When my UTH temp, measured under the substrate, is about 87.5° the temp inside my snakes warmest hiding place is about 85°. She's got places to hide from 85° down to about 70°, so she can always find a place that is the temp she needs(wants?).

Well i doubt your snake will have problems if its not EXACTLY 85 degrees. Its just a range that they need to to have to properly digest so i think anywhere within that range would be fine. If your using aspen you just apply thin and thick layers so that your snake could regulate the temp better.

I actually put my thermostat probe right on the flexwatt, outside the tank. Set it for 85 and walk away. People tend to get a little too anal about the heat requirements of corns (and snakes in general). Stick a digital thermometer in the tank in various places. Get a 80ish reading on the end by the heat? Good to go! The main thing you want to worry about is making sure the glass right over the heat doesn't get too hot so that your snake doesn't get burned.

sounds like your fine. I like to add that I place a hide right above the UTH and probe so so this creates a little warm house for him.

I agree with wax - it's the maximum that you need to keep an eye on. A few degrees either way won't hurt their digestion. As long as the maximum temp the Corn can get to, isn't in the danger range (above about 90 degrees), then you're good to go.

Ok. Thank you for all of the replies. I was just a little worried that I may be doing something wrong. New-Owner-Worries, I suppose!