I have been reading about ball pythons for a while (months!) and wanted one. Thought I was ready and finally got myself an adorable bp but am struggling so much. I'm having such a hard time and am so concerned about him. I really hope I figure this out asap for him. I don't usually like to be a person to ask a million questions but in this case all I want is for him to be happy and healthy so here are my questions:

DETAILS: I have a glass 20 g tank, a 75 watt infrared bulb, and a UTH pad. I'm using aspen for bedding. I have a small/medium size water dish and also a Tupperware with water below the infrared bulb. I have a digital probe thermometer and another thermometer/humidity detector in the middle of the tank.

Questions regarding humidity:

My humidity is extremely difficult to maintain. I initially was struggling at a 20-30% but since I have added cardboard on top of the cage around the light and the extra water dish along with. Wet hide spot I usually maintain 40% humidity. I then use a water bottle to mist inside the tank and that'll bring it back up but not for long. I cannot even count how many times I've misted today.

1. Is moss a good way to keep my humidity up and if so for about how long

2. I've been misting inside my tank and then read about how the bedding should get wet so I stopped that but I was doing that. The bedding is dry now so will it be okay because in don't want to stress him out more and take him out to change it unless I have to.

3. Since my house is freezing and I believe I may need my infrared bulb for extra heat are my only options an auto mister or humidifier for safe humidity controls?

Questions regarding heat:

As I have mentioned above I have a UTH pad and a 75 watt infrared spot bulb. My tank is usually at 90-95 degrees in the center of the tank under the lamp.

1. I have been reading about thermostats but am confused. Do they go into both my UTH pad and lamp or only one?

2. Would a thermostat eliminate my need for a lamp by being able to provide all the heat I need?

Questions regarding feeding:

I got my snake on Friday and was told his feeding day was Saturday. I tried feeding him with no luck. Figure he's stressed being of how awful I'm doing so I haven't tried feeding him again for fear of stressing him out even more. How long should I wait before trying again? I was thinking of trying tomorrow maybe.

Questions regarding shedding:
My bp has rough parts on his belly and it feels like he may be about to shed. I was told when I bought him he was going to but I was wondering easy signs to tell.


Well that's all I can think of right now and typing this on my phone has taken forever so I'll end this now. Sorry for the length!





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