Beginner Ball Python Questions- Constantly scaling sides of tanks

[Pokage]

Hello! I recently received my first ball python this past Saturday. He is a banana and is still young. I received him as a gift so I unfortunately do not know how old he is. This is my first ball python so if my questions seem silly I apologize.

Enclosure Setup
I am housing my python in a 20 gallon tank that I received in an Exo Terra Snake Starter Kit. My current setup includes a hide on both the warm and cool sides of the tank, a water bowl, an Exo Terra Desert Small heat pad (placed under the hide on the warm side) , some sawdust like substrate, and temperature and humidity gauges. I also taped construction paper to 3 of the sides of the tank so that he feels more secure as well as leave a towel on top to keep the humidity in.
My tanks humidity stays between 55 and 60 around the clock. The temperature on the cooler side of the tank is on average 75-77 degrees.

Concerns
Since I just received my snake Saturday, Feb. 4th, I haven't attempted to handle him so that he can settle into his new enclosure, nor do I plan to until the weekend. My main concern is that he will randomly come out of his hide at times and begin to climb the side of the tank. He has spent up to an hour climbing all sides of the tank and rubbing his nose against the glass or screened top. He will often loose his balance and flop down on his side or back but then gets right back up and repeats climbing. I also wasn't informed of when he last ate so I attempted to feed him Sunday evening but he didn't eat, as I expecting due to the recent move. I suppose the main question I am asking is if this climbing is normal behavior? I have done plenty of research before getting my ball python and want to give him the best home possible. I am not aware if he is trying to escape due to an issue with his environment whether it be heat, humidity, or any other factor that would cause this. I am hoping he is just being curious but as I said before he often does this multiple times a day and I am worried about him rubbing his nose or neck.

I just wanted to get a second opinion as well as to see if my setup had anything to do with his behavior. Thanks again and I appreciate any help that you are willing to send my way! Please feel free to ask me any questions! I can also provide pictures tomorrow if they will help.

-Pokage

[highqualityballz]

What are you controlling the heat pad with? You need a thermostat. What are the hotspot temps? Randomly climbing/exploring is normal. Wait about a week before you offer food again. Nose scraping could be a sign of him starting to shed. I dont see any problems other than the fact you didnt list a thermostat as one of the items you have, its argueably the most important thing in keeping reptiles, If the hotspot get too hot its dangerous and can burn the snake. Just out of curiosity what do you mean by sawdust like substrate?

[zina10]

You said you have 2 hides and a water dish, plus you put paper on the sides and back of the tank, but how "open" is the rest ? Perhaps add some more hides or clutter it up a bit with fake plants.

Sounds like your baby is still insecure and is trying to find a darker/safer spot.

If he rubs his nose raw on the rough screen top then try to put something smooth underneath the screen so he doesn't get a sore.

Do you by any chance have some pictures of your setup and the snake ? Is the tank "lit up" with a lot of light ?

And like its been said, a thermostat is simply a must have item ..

[Craiga 01453]

I know that Starter Kit and I believe the substrate it comes with is aspen bedding

[tttaylorrr]

pictures will help us help you.

how are you monitoring temps/humidity? are you using those analog/dial thermometers/hygrometers that i believe those kits come with? do you have a thermostat? ALL sources of heat MUST be regulated! this is non-negotiable. if there is no 'stat, then most likely that heat pad is too hot and making the environment uncomfortable as well as dangerous. let us know how you measure temps.

do NOT handle the snake until they've successfully taken a meal from you.

[Pokage]

The heat pad simply plugs into the wall without any sort of temperature control. The heat pad feels warm but not hot and is under a layer of aspen, which is what I was referring to as sawdust like. I do in fact have thermostats, I made the mistake of calling them temperature gauges above. They are simple dial thermometers and the cooler side of the tank averages around 75 degrees Fahrenheit while the warmer side is 85 degrees on ground level right above his heating pad. I am posting pictures below.

[CALM Pythons]

Your new buddy is going to "surf" the glass a bit. If he is doing it during the day he is stressed. If he does it at night its normal as thats the time they explore. Mine get up 8/9pm till 2/3am.
Everything sounds ok buy you need a Dimmer Switch and a thermometer to see what your floor "HOT SPOT"'is. The Heat Mats get up to 140 and you can cook a snake. I know the ZooMed ones say to only run them Regulated. You can buy a "Jump Start Thermostat" on Amazon or a Dimmer switch at Lowes to control the Heat Mat and get a Probe thermometer to get your Hot Spot temp. You can even find a Laser at Pets Mart to check the surface in your tank.
Check the "setup a Glass enclosure thread" and also read about all the products people use and recommend.
Heres a Dimmer - https://m.lowes.com/pd/Lutron-Creden...Dimmer/4462373

[CALM Pythons]

The heat pad simply plugs into the wall without any sort of temperature control. The heat pad feels warm but not hot and is under a layer of aspen, which is what I was referring to as sawdust like. I do in fact have thermostats, I made the mistake of calling them temperature gauges above. They are simple dial thermometers and the cooler side of the tank averages around 75 degrees Fahrenheit while the warmer side is 85 degrees on ground level right above his heating pad. I am posting pictures below.

Your Body Temp is 98 so if it feels warm to you it is over 100. Ive measured several with my Laser thermometer and they were all 114-140 degrees.
90 tops is what they need or you deal with burns, bad sheds and snakes not wanting their Hot Hide.
Also above you said you have Thermostats, then said dial thermometers.
Those are two different things. So what one do you have because you need both, a Thermostat or dimmer to control the UTH and a thermometer to tell you how hot the glass is heating up where the UTH is.

[Pokage]

Snake
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwU...ew?usp=sharing

Tank

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...HJOenZMcVNLdm8
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...FVNSW03UkdCOVE
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...1JmZ0FTWDlFQk0
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...WhlVjMycVNQQUk

UTH
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...HUtWjhFM3VVSjA

I apologize for the misunderstanding. I have two thermometers to read the temperature. I have one on the cool side of the tank which reads 75 degrees, and one on the ground near the UTH on the hot side of the tank, which reads 87 degrees . I do NOT have thermostat or dimmer to control my UTH. However I can get one first thing tomorrow morning. I assumed that the kit came with all of the necessities, that was obviously ignorant of me. Thank you for the link to the Dimmer.

[zina10]

You are doing good !!

Yes, a thermostat is a big must have. Amazon sells a decent one for around $30.

Some suggestions. Get matte black construction paper and use that instead of that light paper. Line it well, no gaps. It is still to light and exposed in there. Make sure you have most of the lid covered, too.

Then get some fake greenery, vines or even some pieces fake driftwood/sticks. Just "crowd" up that tank a bit more. Between the light substrate, the light walls and the light itself, the snake probably feels quite exposed in there. Make it as dark as you can. The light from the front of the glass should be all that goes in there, or a very, very dull and weak bulb.

It will all come together quickly now, you already did a lot of the research. Just a few tweaks and you are there