Hello everyone!

I got my first Ball Python almost a month ago. I was moving home from college the next week, so I had my family babysit him for a few days until I moved in. Well for one reason or another (no one is claiming responsibility) he got out of his tank. SO he was lost for a few weeks. We just found him on Tuesday under the fridge in our storage room.

I immediately soaked him in lukewarm water to warm him up, relax cramped muscles, and try to get some of the under-the-fridge-gunk off of him. I didn't want to mess with him too much; I was worried he'd be nippy after being alone and hungry for so long. After about 20 minutes soaking, I ran to grab a live mouse -hopper- for him (I'm wanting to switch to frozen but I know he's used to live from the breeder so I didn't want to stress him trying to change). He didn't take it that day; a lot was happening. But yesterday I offered and he took it right away. That was the first time eating for at least 5 weeks.

I neglected to weigh him right as I got him so I don't know how much weight he lost. But I pulled him out for a moment to weigh him today and he's at 220g right now. I didn't look for long (I know you shouldn't mess with a snake for a couple days after eating) but he looks bright eyed and almost clean of gunk. He was dehydrated when I found him but yesterday he was soaking in his dish by himself and I watched him drink a ton of water. I don't think he looks skinny, but he's probably a little thinner than when I first got him. I haven't seen any poop or shedding yet.

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So that's the story of my snake so far. I've only held him twice. :p

BUT now we're set! His cage has some serious clips now. So here's my set-up info.

10 gallon tank (3 sides covered in black paper)
Paper towel substrate (considering eco-earth once I'm sure he's healthy after his adventure)
Hide (he loves squishing in there, I think it's perfect for now)
Some fake leaves (they suck, actually. But I don't know what he would be interested in. Branches to climb on?)
Big water dish (I'm going to replace it with something deeper instead of just big)
Exo Terra therm/hyg with probe (probe is placed in the very middle of the back wall trying to measure ambient temp. I don't really know where it should be)
Zoo Med small heat pad (covers about 1/3 of tank, placed on the far right)
Herpstat 1 Basic thermostat

My temps are set at 90.3 on the Herpstat. I have the probe for the thermostat in between the heating pad and the bottom of the tank (outside the glass). The ambient temp reads around 70 but has dropped to 65 during the night a couple times. Is this acceptable or should I get a CHE? He has regular daylight. I mentioned I want to do the eco-earth and I think that would handle the humidity once it's in there.

So my questions for you are these:

  • Any comments on my setup?
  • Are the temps alright?
  • How fast should I expect him to gain weight healthily?
  • Any tips for how to get the gunk off him (he went over one of those sticky mouse traps..)
  • I plan on feeding once a week. Should I start that now or does he need another mouse tomorrow because of his fast?
  • Any other comments at all?


Thank you so much for any responses! I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say

-Rebecca

P.S. Pictures will come!! as soon as he won't throw up if I mess with him