Hi everyone,

I adopted a ball python from the humane society yesterday, a male approx 6 years old. He's around 3.5 feet long. I have him in a 90 gallon tank. Couple questions about him though-

They said he will only eat live hamsters. Do live foods pose a problem? I don't want him getting hurt from something that bites. ... and can his head really stretch wide enough to allow a hamster? He is quite wide around his largest area but still.. his head and neck are tiny!

Also he is making a very very quiet sound when he is breathing.. like he is a bit congested. Can snakes get respiratory problems? he was being kept on cedar shavings at the SPCA but I have him on paper towel now (damp).

Other than that he seems quite nice, he is pretty active for a ball, I've had him out non stop since yesterday and he seems pretty relaxed.