Hi, my name is Ansli, and I've recently become extremely intrested in the idea of owing a Ball Python. I've spent oodles of time hunting down research information on the beautiful snakes, but am having a few questions on housing.
**Note, i do not own a Python yet, and wont attempt to get one until i have a full understanding of them, and am planning to purchase one in a couple of months.

Heating / Loco:
I have a 20 gall - long - aquarium that i will be using for starters.
How many lights should i use? or should i use a Heating pad - or a combo.
If i use a heating pad (which i have- human type, with dial), i place it under the aquarium correct?
Will this harm a wooden dresser top? or should i locate it ontop of a metal desk i have, or, my other plan is to keep him/her in my walk in closet, where my room is the warmest. i have the shelves, white plastic/rubber type shelves with wire underneath- you know, the open bar'd ones? should i place the BP on a shelf there, it's secure, easily accessable, or will the heater burn up any of these surfaces? if i leave it on all the time?

Now about Humidity:
what is this 'moss' type thing or what that people use? i havent been able to look this up with good results.
can i purchase a humidifier instead? or what alternatives do i have?

Times:
i attend school, and wont be able to be with the snake from 7:30 to 4 or sometimes 6, will this be a healthy situation- nocturnal arent they, i dont see how? i can clean and feed and do all other necessary rituals without problems if i do them early in the morning and the rest of the day? i have free Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and i plan on getting the Snake during our Christmas break (i live in alabama, so he's not likely to experience extreme cold, and my closet- honestly, has a good temperature constantly, my room never goes below 70).

I cant really think of anything about those above other than what's the best way to go about keeping one side cooler than the other, would i just make sure more of the heating pad was to one side?

also: i've always noticed that diffrent sexes have diffrent... tendencies.. like rats (which i do NOT have anymore- no worries) : males are more of the 'pet me' kind, while females are adventurous- same thing with the dogs i have, and cats i've had.
are males more laid back and females more adventuresome? i've also read females have larger heads.

thank you sooo much for any comments, im sure this was troublesome to read.