Hi and welcome to BPNet. I don't know if anyone has provided you with our caresheet for BP's so here's the link. Tons of great info there, a definite must read for new BP owners. :) http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52
Hides can be anything that is secure for your snake to hide in. Things like plastic containers from the dollar store, dog dishes, really anything that is not see through, is easy to clean (they will poop in there) and has an entrance either on the side or on the roof to get into. Paper products like boxes can work but tend to get gross really fast. One for each end and identical tends to work best.
Remember to let your new snake have a quiet first week with no handling or feeding (just remove feces/urates and refresh his water dish). This helps them settle in well to their new home with you.
Couple of hide examples:
Big heavy rubber dog dishes that we use for our bigger snakes.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...irseinHide.jpg
These are what we have the baby BP using right now (though the baby in this pic is now a honking big year old male LOL). It's just the water overflow saucer from a terracotta planter.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...bushKiller.jpg