Hello, new here, first post, as many others probably did I found my way here after our family purchased a ball python and set up its home based on Petsmart recommendations instead of doing some research. Has been a struggle since then to maintain humidity in the glass tank with screen top, no surprise to you all. I am now looking at a UTH for the hot side to keep from drying the air out with the heat lamp. My question is - will this particular heater http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrath...ater-uth-6-x11 require a thermostat in a 10 gal tank? The website says that it may not be needed since this model has such a low wattage density, it shouldn't get hot enough to risk burning the animal. Does the council concur?

We believe our python is around 4-5 months old, he's about 18 inches long, good appetite so far. I know that we will have to go up in size from the 10 gal fairly soon, but for now I just want to get a "functional" setup going that doesn't require frequent misting, while we plan for longer term habitat.

Side question, my daughter is afraid to feed him more often than exactly once every 7 days, even though he seems hungry by day 5-6. Ok to feed him sooner while he's young and growing fast?