Hi everyone

I got a new ball python 2 days ago. Im a novice, as in this is my first snake as an adult. we kept them when I was a kid, but I obviously didnt have anything to do with the husbandry back then.

Any way, hes approx 3 yrs old male. a little over 3ft. as soon as I looked at the set up I knew it was wrong, I still offered to have him, and bought him home.

The glass viv is 3ft x 1.5ft the guy who had him, had it set up with a hide and heat mat on one end, and a heat lamp the other end with water bowl. no hide that end. No digital reader only stick on ones at the back (I will be buying some proper ones today) the substrate is like a bark type, but its absolutely filthy. filled with bits of poo and skin, where its clear he has not has a good shed.

I know these dials arent accurate, but the humidity read under 20 and the thermometer read 60 (stuck on the back wall)

Ive put the lamp, over the heat mat, the water bowl in the middle to try and bring the humidity up and have srayed down the warm bark hide with water. the humidity dial now shows over 20, but this is still not high enough?

where do I start??

The guy who had him was feeding him mice too small (I think he should be on small rats?) I fed him last night 2mice and he strike fed fine. I thought it would be better to get the first feed out the way, so I can sort the viv out and handle him after, while hes not hungry. I know they can get stressed and go off their food, and I thought the stress of the move, and then a major clan of the viv might upset him, so I fed him last night.

he seems quite healthy to me, again, I am only a begonner. I handled him at the previous owners house and he seemed ok. I dont think he has been handled an awful lot in the last few months, so Im not planning on handling him soon, or untill he's had another feed and the set up is right.


Wow...such a long post..sorry guys..If you havent fallen asleep reading this, I would welcome any advice and suggestions.
Thanks