Hi Everyone! New Here!

I am new as both a BP owner (my first snake! wooot!) and a member to the forums and wanted to say hello.

This past Monday (3 days ago) I decided to go out and get my first snake (and first reptile since I was a little kid and had an iggy), ball python to be exact.

I am a 27 here old male and have always wanted a ball python but never "got around" to buying one. After stumbling upon this incredible world of morphs and awesome patterns to an already fantastic creature, I was addicted to the idea of getting one.

This is where I started making my few mistakes :(

For one, I went to a pet store :colbert: Little did I know at the time this was frowned upon within the reptile community. But as I went "just to look" I quickly fell in love with one.

Immediately licking me and seemed pretty active. On impulse, I decided to buy it.

Anyway, fast forward a few days and its starting to get used to its new home (10 gallon temporary, 60 watt red light, UTH, 2 hides, big water dish and a sweet climbing stick). I have had it here for a few days now but really never got a chance to REALLY look at the snake.

I know I shouldn't have bothered it, but I just wanted to take it out quick and give it a nice check over. Here is what I found:

PROS:
- Very active, seemed to like to crawl around on me once it realized I was no threat. Just seemed pretty curious and overall "healthy".

- Didn't attack or show aggression. Little scared, but I tried being extra gentle and slow with my actions.

- Flicking its tongue a lot. I heard that's a good thing as its aware of the environment.

CONS:
- Well, one nostril seems a little dry and has a tiny bit of "crust". I was devastated when I saw it as its something I thought I looked for at the store. Its only on one and really doesn't look too bad, but there is a bit of dryness and crust :(

- Also seems to be a tiny bit on the thin side. Has a good muscle tone and definition but could use some solid feeding, which I intend to give it.

I have not fed it yet and am expecting my shipment of frozen fuzzies by Tuesday. I also think I might go get a small mouse in the pet store to feed it this weekend to hold it over till the fuzzies get here. Once arrived, I plan to feed once every 4 days or so to help add some needed weight.

Anyway, are those "CONS" I listed ultra serious and might risk the welfare of my new baby? I am a big time animal lover and plan to bring to the Vet but I was hoping the first Vet visit would be in a month from now.

I plan to rectify the weight issue by starting a quality feeding regiment. But unsure what this dryness on one nostril means.

Thoughts and advice appreciated. Pics will come in a week or 2 after adjustment period.

Unless you hear popping of whistling noises I would not be too concerned about the "crust" probably just a little stuck shed.

The other thin remark...pet stores often only feed the bare minimum so they can turn a profit, so it's probably just a case of needing to be fed regularly.

Are your temps good, humidity? You know how much and what to feed it right?
Just basic common questions to see if their could be any other problems.;)

Well temps are pretty good right now, although not stable. Due to the changing weather (last few days were 70-80 and today dropped to 50) they are still a little off.

My Cool side seems to range from high 70's to about 85, while my hot side is always about 5-7 degrees higher with the hot side hide box about 95-97 (which I think is too high and plan to zooman temp control the UTH).

He/she is always in the cool side hide which shows the other one is too high. I think I am going to double or triple the astro turf thats in their till I get the controller.

Humidity is where it should be at 50-70% due to purchasing a mist bottle and a tank humidity pad.

::EDIT::
Should I unplug the UTH til I get the control? or try to just add a lvl of astro?

Yes I know how much to feed it (theoretically speaking). No bigger then the snakes stomach.