So yesterday, I purchased my first ball python who I named Bob.

I'll attach some photos just for the heck of it.





After a little bit of debate with my mum on when to get him, I purchased Bob from Petsmart.
I know, I know... not the best choice since pet stores don't have the best reputations with snakes. (And to be honest, I had planned to buy a ball python from a local reptile store that is across town but... I held Bob and absolutely fell in love with him so it was impossible to let go)
Now that I think about it... I don't know much about him (The store associate didn't tell me much about him, except what he was feeding on, how often he fed and his health history...didn't help that the guy was relatively terrified of snakes) I do know that he is somewhere between being a juvenile and a baby. (Maybe you guys can give me a little bit more information on an estimation)

Originally, I had planned to go with housing him in a tub but I don't exactly have one just yet so I purchased one of those beginners' kits that they sell at Petsmart (which, let me say, are a little shoddy, accessory wise) So far, I have him on Reptibark..a nice snug hide on the warm spot..and his water bowl on the cool side.. I also have a separate digital thermometer with a probe that I purchased today and also a gauge to monitor humidity. I also have one of those overhead basking lamps that came with the kit..plus a spray bottle to mist the cage with...

I plan to move him into a tub once I purchase the appropriate size/width and make the proper ventilation holes.
But for now, I hope that he'll be okay where he is now. I would really like to keep two hides in there but there isn't enough comfortable space for it... I have this log type thing that just BARELY fits and I don't want him to feel too crowded out, so I just have his cave right now.

My main concern is just with keeping the humidity and temperature up.
The UTH that came with the kit can't be regulated.. it's just plugged in and there.
Should I invest in a new UTH or maybe something completely different? (Seeing that I do have the basking lamp)

So does anyone have any advice for a newbie?
I have already read the care guide on here, but I am always open to some elaboration on some of the things said.
Such as...
How can I regulate heat with a standard UTH that isn't adjustable?
When should I offer him his feed? (And on that note, what size feed would be good? I'm thinking a fuzzy would be good but I was a little unsure)
Do you think I should keep him in his current quarters right now or try to get that tub enclosure right away?
Anything else you can think of?


Aside from all of this, Bob seems to be happy and slowly starting to adjust!