I've just gotten my first ball python. I've had him for about a day now. I purchased him and an enclosure from his previous owner, including a decent-sized tank and the substrate, single hide, small water dish, and few accessories that it lived in prior to its sale. For heating, all I have at this moment is a red night bulb and a very small heat pad. According to the ZooMed digital thermometer that I also received, it's only about 85 degrees Fahrenheit beneath this lamp. The probe is about six inches from the top of the tank. Should I be switching to something else? The previous owner has owned this ball python for about a year now. At first, I put the lamp on the side of the tank opposite from the single hide I was given and he never went under it. He didn't even go in the Habba Hut hide which has the heating pad beneath it. He stays in the corner beneath a small plastic plant. I read here (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet) that "It is best to provide two adequate hides in your BPs enclosure -- one on the warm end and one on the cooler end so that it does not have to make a choice between regulating its body temperature and feeling secure...." Having read this, I investigated and picked up my ball python and found that he seemed unusually cold. I moved the lamp from the side opposite of his hide to the side of his hide and put him back under the plant where he was. He's remained there since. I again held him to ensure that he was receiving the heat, and he was. Also according to the linked guide, ball pythons will move about the cage to adjust their own temperature, yet he hasn't moved. If he was cold and didn't move, then became hot and didn't move, what gives? I rearranged some of the stuff in the terrarium to create a small makeshift hide while I find the time to purchase him another, but he hasn't left the bush in the slightest. He just curls up in the corner of the terrarium beneath the bush and stays there, halfway exposed to the bulb.

Secondly, it's clear that the previous owner has not cleaned the terrarium in a while. I was wondering what's the best solution for cleaning the individual accessories in the cage. For the tank itself, I believe some ZooMed Wipe Out 1 from my local pet store will do for now.

Third, if the basking temperature under the bulb is not up to par with that described in the guide, what should I do? Should I purchase a fixture with a higher wattage and get a matching bulb? What about daytime bulbs?

Fourth, it seems that the ball python's skin, if that's what you want to call it, is excessed, where it looks loose and wrinkly, like this: http://i8.tinypic.com/5xh5rnp.jpg

I'm honestly really worried about this little guy. It seems like his previous owner never really did their research and that he has sort of suffered because of it. I'd really like some good advice in what I should do to solve some of these problems, as I'm not necessarily experienced myself, I've just done some mild research.

Thanks!