questions about owning my first ball python

[Kinra]

I am new to the whole snake thing but i am buying my first one which is a ball python tommorrow...i have a few questions on some things....the area right under the heat lamp is at 95- 100 degrees which this area i think is called the basking area but is the temp ok... every where else on that side of the tank is around 90...the otherend of the tank is around 70 degrees. and also i am getting these temps with a heat lamp, do i need a uth also?

I would ditch the lamp and switch to a UTH that is controlled either by a thermostat or at least a dimmer. BPs don't bask so belly heat is better.

i am having trouble with the humidity getting above 55% which i know is a normal humidity level but i am worried about getting it up when it is shedding...i have heard that i can put some kind of moss in a hide for a humidity hide...but what kind of moss and does it need to be sterilized and if so how? and where do i get it?

You don't need to use moss in a humid hide. I used pieces of cloth that were damp. Another think you can do is cover the screen top with a towel or plastic wrap.

also i took some clear tubberwear bowls and spraypainted them to make them dard so the snake will feel secure...will the spraypaint hurt the snake. i have had them out in the sun for 2 days and will leave them there till tommorrow.

The spray paint should be fine as long as you used non-toxic paint.

and last thing is i have been looking at decorations at the pet shop and they seem to have drift wood that looks the same as i can get at the river and theres cost anywhere from 10 to 25 dollars...can i just go get some from the river? my only concern with getting it myself is i dont want to get any pine or cedar but i am not sure what it looks like, cuz all the drift wood looks the same to me...and if i do get it do i need to sterilize the wood and if so how?

any help will be apreciated...thanks...i think i am putting way to much thought into this thing and making it harder than it should be but i dont want to do anything to hurt the snake.

I've heard some people bake sticks before they put them in. I've never done this but I'm sure someone else can chime in and tell you what to do. BPs are going to hide most of the time anyways so you really don't need it.

Good luck with your new snake!