I have recently taken in a 4 year old, male ball python from a friend who could no longer care for him. I was very excited for my first snake as I was already preparing to get one myself! I was given his 40g tank with Forest Floor Cyprus Mulch, a 20g feeder tank, two UTH pads, two hides, two water dishes, and the little stick on thermometer. She told me she fed him every 4 days, with what I believe was a large live mouse? Not a rat, I know that. I got home, plugged everything in, got him in his tank and all set. Started lurking this website to make sure I have everything set perfect. Unfortunately, the way she had it set up is no where near what everyone is suggesting. The heating pads were put one on each side. Only one hide was used in the tank, the other she kept in the feeder. And the little stick on thermometer read 73F and about 40% humidity. Big problems! No wonder she said the poor guy was constantly escaping!

Since then, I have gotten a new over head light to get the temp up. I have it set up with a hot/cold side now, not with a UTH pad on each side. Identical hides on both sides. Spoke with the reptile caregiver at the exotic animal store about getting him onto small-medium rats every 7 days. (He eats like a champ!)

So my couple of questions here are: I know I need to get a digital thermometer so I can get his temps 100% where they need to be. What's the best recommendation? I had seen Accu-rite digital combo on the sticky post, but do I need one with a probe? The only one I've seen in person so far was a basic stick on. Also I need some sort of regulator for the UTH as well, correct?

Second, I'm looking to go to paper towels over the Forest Floor as 1. I want to start feeding him inside his actual enclosure rather than the feeder tank and 2. today while getting the rat ready, he struck his home tank not once, but twice getting a mouth full of mulch I had to dig out of his mouth (he apparently did this often with his previous owner, hence feeder tank). With the paper towels, I assume I will have to clean a lot more often, and is there anything different I need to do with the UTH to make sure it doesn't get as hot since it's not as thick as the FF?

Sorry this is long! Trying to make everything perfect and also getting prepared for the new, younger BP I was planning on getting next weekend!