Hi everyone!

My name's Mal (aka Shoelace, the name of our baby) and about three days ago we purchased our first ball python. So far he (we will have him sexed at the first vet visit, so maybe she??) has been very docile, extremely active, and otherwise appears happy and healthy.

We had our first feeding attempt today (the woman at the store we bought him from ASSURED me he was a good eater, but I was nervous anyway as I've heard about the BP's "feeding strikes") -- and PRESTOCHANGO! He ate! Not only did he eat, but he struck vigorously and almost immediately upon my shaking his yummy mouse at him. Delicious. We've chosen not to do live food as he was raised on icy mice and I am concerned about live food causing him injury or making him aggressive.

His current setup is a 30-gallon long with Zoomed snake substrate, water dish, hide, and night/day lamps for heat. I need a new temperature gauge, but our house is warm AND humid (yay, 23rd floor) so he has not been chilly or dry so far. However, I am concerned about his humidity level and I have read that the type of gauge I'm using is probably not as accurate as it could be, so I'm going to try and procure a different one from WalMart.

One question -- would it be better for me to use paper towel or newspaper as substrate? A friend of ours has said the Zoomed may not be the best choice (it's a large woodchip based substrate) and that we should change it. Any advice?

Thanks so much in advance. Shoelace appreciates you educating me!! Hehe.

I'm so proud of our boy and his good eating!

-Mal