new Ball Python, former stray

[Erikamc]

yup, you read that right. She was a stray picked up on Friday. I now have her. True, I have long wanted one, but have always talked myself out of it. So I'm kinda jumping in without looking here. I bought a 40 gallon breeder tank on the $1/gallon petco sale, a wire lid, lid clips (not enough though, so hooray Gorilla tape!). She seems to be in ok shape but needs a little TLC. she Has been on her own for at least two weeks. not sure if her skin issues are previous poor shedding, damage from the wild, or an infection. I am calling the vet Monday to get her in.

so, I admit I am more used to lizards and turtles, warm basking spot, cool end, moderate zone in the middle. Thats my method, Heat lamp on one end, nothing on the other. I have a corn snake (also a rescue, but I had a little prep time) An under tank heater was basically pounded into my head. "not climbers so ground temperature is the most important, the snake will choose it's areas" So my corn snake has an under tank heater on one end (ok, closer to 3/4 of an end) and nothing on the other. The warm end gets to the 90's or higher the cool end is high 70's, air temperature, measured today, even on the warm end is low 70's.

To me this seems like it is a bad idea for my new family member. I have the urge to do a high watt (100-150) ceramic heat emitter on one end and nothing on the other end much like for a lizard or turtle (although I am using red bulbs for them but my new friend is in my bed room for quarantine reasons). I am also confused by bedding and humidity needs. Some stuff I have read says that they shouldn't be too humid as it can cause skin issues, other say not to use aspen because the needed humidity will cause it to mold (currently on aspen because I had a bag here and didn't know if the eco earth I also have was ok to use). I'm hoping the vet can help me determine if higher than normal humidity and temperatures are needed right now or not, but would love to hear ideas on this (for informational purposes. the highest day time temps have gotten might be low 80's and we have gotten down to low 50's at night)

Keeping the cage sort of bare bones for now but I know they like to climb, unlike my corn snake. Climbing ideas are appreciated:-)

One more thing. Should I be able to see her respiration? I can clearly see her breathing, but it's not so easy with my corn snake. My brain says sheer mass is the reason but I want to make sure, especially given her (at least) last two weeks on the lamb.

BTW...I feel the need to call the snake a she, despite us trying to decide between two male names. I don't know if this is because my corn is a she or why, but trying to keep this gender neutral was trying so went with what my brain was telling me, always a risky path though.