Brand new BP owner, first shed(I think), and advice on some other topics.

[VereMyth]

So here it is, I am a first time ball python owner have not even had it(Don't know gender, so no name yet, going sometime next week for sexing and a wellness check up I do this for all the animals I own)

Now my first concern is I think they are shedding already...I haven't even fed their first meal yet. I read the shedding process thread. But could I also be mistaken?( I do think I am paranoid at this point)
Right now The only indicator I have is that there seems to be skin peeling like shedding off of the head the eyes were kind of cloudy for a about a day or two I can't exactly tell but at least day(I have been bouncing around trying to get temps right which I have finally got, I had to order a thermostat and heat-pad from amazon and it took a whole day and a half of being just a few degrees under ninety during the day to get here(Which also had me on edge). Gah off topic again...


Point being I do not have an accurate hygrometer(I have a fairly cheap analog one that supposed to stick to the tank but the adhesive sticker was no where to be found so it is lying in a corner. I have the combo meter(digital) I ordered should be here tomorrow) but until it does get here will over doing the humidity a bit, hurt the python? The other topics I would like to address. What is a good night time bulb for viewing? and a reputable timer for the lighting? I tend to work late afternoons and nights so a timer for the heat lamp above the cage(75 watt infrared heat bulb.) Would be helpful(Am using a relative to turn it off when I am absent at the moment)
One other thing right now though is what is a good spot for the thermal probes? I have my thermal probes buried a bit under the substrate but not touching the glass, around the area the ball python will use the heated sides hide and above the UTH pad.

Now for the help us help you part:

1. How long have you had your ball python?

3 days.



2. How old (or how big) is your snake?

The store stated they get them at juvenile( I have not handled the snake except to put it into the enclosure and look at the under side which I panicked a bit at because I saw dark spots but turned out to be part of their natural color lol...) A rough guess would be at least a foot.

3. Does it eat on a regular schedule?

Has not had first feeding yet(Monday is when I shall try)

4. How long since its last meal?

7 days

5. What type/size prey is being offered?

The store stated pinkie mice(Advice here would help)

6. How often do you offer food?

Will be weekly(Have not yet)

7. What type and size of enclosure does it live in?

Glass terrrarium 45g


8. What are you using as substrate? If it has depth, how deep is it?

Reptibark about 1.5"

9. What type of heating do you use?

75 watt infrared heat bulb
10. Do you use a thermostat to control temperatures?

For the UTH heatpad yes

11. What do you use to measure/monitor temperatures?

A couple instruments(THermostat, temp gun, and a digital thermo that came with a little reptile kit.)

12. What are the surface and ambient temperatures in the enclosure?

hot side is 91 on the basking area and about 82 ambient. and surface

13. What is the average humidity level?

I try to keep it at 60-70% based on that analog hygrometer.

14. How many and what type of hides does the snake have?

A homemade one with one in and out and a regular old piece of tree that you would get from pet-smart.

15. Is water readily available at all times?
YES!!!!


16. Does the snake live alone or does it share the enclosure with anything else?

Alone

17. How often and for how long is the snake typically handled?

Not often as of yet. I will try for 30 minutes a day after the transition period and first feeding.

18. Does the snake have any medical history (old injuries or illnesses)?

None, that I can see or was told of.

19. Do you have any other reptiles? Have you brought in any new reptiles recently?
No.


20. Is there anything specific or unique about your situation that we should be aware of?

Any methods of help will have to be able to be used after weds this coming week.(at least methods requiring financial stuff)


ANY TIPS ARE WELCOME EVEN SCOLDINGS IF I AM DOING SOMETHING WRONG I have come to love this lil one even though I can only look at the moment.