Hello everyone. I'm thinking of buying a 3 week ball python from a breeder and I need some opinions before I go and buy her. If someone can answer these questions, it'd be greatly appreciated.

1. What's the best kind of housing for a ball python? I have a number of rubbermaid containers and an extra 10 gallon aquarium that I used to hold my bearded dragon.
2. What's the best way to heat them? I heard heat mats are best, but if so, what kind of heat mat?
3. When and what should I feed her?
4. What kind of substrate should I use for them?
5. Can I use lighting? There's a window right next to my bed, would that do fine, or would some kind of other lighting be beneficial?
6. How long do they take to grow?

I would like to know anything about them before I go about and make my purchase. But I know I want one. I held a fully grown male when I was a kid, and since then, I was in love with snakes. And now that I have the opportunity to, I'd like one of my own.