Hello, so I recently purchased a 5 month old Ball Python. and I have a few questions..

The tank I got is as 30 gallon (long), and it came with a UTH already installed on it (the tank was second hand). I Went out and bought a 500w Zilla Temperature Controller, and really have no idea what to do with it.

I Ended up cutting a hole into the top of my lid, and feeding it down close by where the UTH is, but the suction cup is HORRIBLE, and it just keeps coming un done. I've also found my snake wrapped around it quite a few times which really scared me.

anyways, So far I have a large hide for him (it's big, I know) but was thinking of replacing it with something smaller until he gets bigger. I Read they have to almost touch every surface of it inside.

The temp's read about 83 degrees inside the cage, and I have the thermostat set to 89, but when I did that, he tended to come out of his hide and burrow into the substrate. When I turned it down, He went back into his hide.

I have about an inch of bedding in there. I Don't know what the maker is, The breeder I got it from said they use it all the time, and it's Almost like shredded up toilet paper. but seems to be okay?

He has a large water dish (matches the hide) and I refill it every day so he has fresh water.

The humidity in the cage says 50


I Got him on Tuesday and I Don't know when they fed him last. The owner was out of town at a reptile show, and said she had no idea. But 48 hours after I got him, He pooped. So I'm guessing it was 2-3 days before that.

I Tried feeding him today but he didn't touch it.


Anyways. I'm worried about the Thermostat. if I got the right one, If I needed one at all? My girlfriend wants to switch to bulbs, but EVERYTHING i've read online said No, and UTH are better.