Just got my first BP, he has been underfed for a long time

[Quetzy]

Hi there, I just adopted a male BP from a friend who has had him for two years. I'm not sure of his age, but he's pretty big around, like the diameter of a tennis ball (medium rat size). Before taking him I did a lot of research and know you should feed every week, or 10-14 said one site. My friend said she got the snake from the original owner, a vet, and to feed him a larger medium sized rat every two months. I was pretty suprised to hear he was going so long between meals. He also eats live, and the last time she tried to feed him she could only find a f/t, which he rejected. So he ate his first meal since January today! Poor baby.

I'm wondering, how should I transition him into a better eating schedule? Also...if he rejects a rat and doesn't kill it, I know I can't leave the rat in with him because safety, but what do I do with it at that point? I couldn't kill it myself, but I def don't want it escaping a temporary enclosure.

I also have cats and will be posting a cat question on a more appropriate board.

Thanks btw!

[Quetzy]

Ok just saw these questions (such a noob). Some were answered above so I'll just leave them blank.

1. How long have you had your ball python?
Less than 24 hours

2. How old (or how big) is your snake?

3. Does it eat on a regular schedule?

4. How long since its last meal?

5. What type/size prey is being offered?
Medium rats

6. How often do you offer food?

7. What type and size of enclosure does it live in?

About 30 gal aquarium. Going to get a bigger one soon.

8. What are you using as substrate? If it has depth, how deep is it?

My friend had no idea. A wood bark. Its like a quater inch deep

9. What type of heating do you use?

He has a heating lamp. She had a 75W bulb in in (at a height of about 16in) which she thought was too hot so she never used the heating pad. His ambient temp was about 85F so I switched the bulb to a regular incandescent (53W) and his ambient temp is maintaining around 80 in the daytime

10. Do you use a thermostat to control temperatures?

She didn't have one but I plan on getting one soon

11. What do you use to measure/monitor temperatures?

There is a single thermometer in the middle of the cage, near the floor.

Bonus Question: I am not able to sleep with a light on (he's in my room) so he'll probably get a little cooler at night until i can get a thermostat controlled heating pad. Previous owner said she always turns it off before bed. Again, not air conditioning but is this going to be ok?

12. What are the surface and ambient temperatures in the enclosure?
No idea on surface. Will be procuring more supplies (suggestions?)


13. What is the average humidity level?
No clue, I sprayed the cage and it fogged a little when the real hot light was on. I also live in a humid area and not running ac yet.


14. How many and what type of hides does the snake have?
One hide on the cool side. It's a plastic box about 1ft x 6in x 4in tall, with a door cut out.


15. Is water readily available at all times?

Yes

16. Does the snake live alone or does it share the enclosure with anything else?

Alone

17. How often and for how long is the snake typically handled?

Not sure with previous owner but have held him on two previous occasions. Told he is really chill and has never bit anyone.

18. Does the snake have any medical history (old injuries or illnesses)?

Unknown

19. Do you have any other reptiles? Have you brought in any new reptiles recently?

Nope

20. Is there anything specific or unique about your situation that we should be aware of?

Well since I've got everything here, can someone point me in the direction of cats and BP interaction? One cat wants to play and the other is scared of him. I can prevent them from getting in his cage, and have hopefully escape proofed it (he had escaped a few times with previous owner, he needs a larger habitat). The unscared cat is small and the snake could probably kill her if provoked