Re: first time snake owner!
I would recommend you:
1. Get a bigger enclosure....and a 10 gallon will only last you a few months.
2. Get a digital thermometer, those dial thermometers do not work great.
3. Make sure your temperatures are correct...92-94 warm side/ 82-84 cool side.
4. You should have two hides one on the warm side and one on the cool side....so you definately need an enclosure just to fit another hide.
5. You should not handle you snake for 48 hours after eating.
6. When purchasing a snake you should not handle for the first week or two in order to limit stress.
7. Feeding once a week is generally how people feed.
You need to do alot of work to keep that ball python properly. I would suggest reading as many caresheets and info online such as this one:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52
Good luck and welcome to the site.
Re: first time snake owner!