I am new to snakes. I purchased a ball python on saturday. I had a 10 gallon setup for him ahead of time. 10 gallon tank with screen top, uth, 1 log hide on the hot side, 1 cardboard hide on the cool side. Temps on the hot side at substrate are 90 and on the cool side 80. Humidity is roughly 40, had to cover the top partially with foil to keep ambiant temps and humidity up. Since getting the snake he does come out of his hide to explore but when he hides he only stays on the hot side. I dont have the sides or back of the tank blacked out but im thinking of doing that in the next day or 2. I have not handled the snake since putting him in his new home I know that you want to wait a minimum of 7 days before you do. Is this normal behavior for the snake?

Thanks