A few questions from a new owner

[icygirl]

Hi all, I just bought a BP today and would like some input from an established online BP community.

My little guy came from Petco - now before you all blast me for buying there, first of all I work there, secondly I wouldn't buy a reptile from the Petco that I work at, because I don't like how my coworkers tend to ignore the "reptile" (herp & invert) section. I bought from a different Petco where I know specifically that they take good care of their herps - a few herp and fish enthusiasts work there that look after them. One of the employees told me that it had been a week since the bp's had been fed and that they were going to feed them again that day when I bought the snake. Incidentally, I bought a beardie from them awhile back and he turned out to be quite healthy and energetic, and I fell completely in love with him, and he turned out to be a longtime companion for me.

I picked this one out not because of his looks, but because he (or she) was extremely friendly and inquisitive, and immediately wrapped himself around my wrist, stretching his neck out at me and flicking his tongue curiously. I know some BP's can be shy at first but this one is definitely not

Right now I have a very basic setup in a 20 long; it's temporary so I can figure out what is the best substrate and decorations. The substrate is Repti-bark (~1cm chunks of bark), there is a water bowl treated with repti-safe conditioner, a half-log for hiding, and a small fake leafy plant near the log. There is a small under-tank heat pad on one side (to keep up temp at night) and a basking light on the other side. I have not yet set up a timer - what is the best photoperiod for these animals?

He (I say that hypothetically) is, I'd estimate, around 20-22 inches head to tail. Is s/he old enough to tell gender, and how would I check?

Also, when should I attempt to feed him? I will be using frozen fuzzies, which is what the store used to feed the pythons. Thawed first of course I think that I should give him a few days to get used to his new environment before I feed him. Is that smart? Also, what time of day do you normally have the best success in offering food?

Any input greatly appreciated!

Here's a pic, hope this works: (From the looks of it he has just completed a shed, since he has tiny patches of white skin as you can see in the picture. If you can interpret that differently let me know)