New to reptiles. First BP

[Plunks]

Hi everyone. First time bp owner here and I have a few questions.
So I've had my little guy for 3 days now and I've kept a careful eye on him, but have yet to take him out in hopes to not stress him out too much. When I first put him into his tank he went straight into the corner under the fake plant I put in there and didn't come back out until ~12am to roam around. I've seen him out a few times but just late at night but then he goes straight back to that stupid plant in the corner. Is it okay for him to be back there? I feel like there's no way he will be able to comfortably digest his first meal there... I don't even think he knows he can go in the hides I made for him
I have pics too
Please let me know if you see flaws in my setup

Temps

and he's been here on the hot side in the back right corner

I have a uth+thermostat and I'm also using a heat lamp on a dimmer to keep the ambient temps up. the extra water bowl on the hot side is to keep humidity up. My cool hide is a Tupperware container with sponges in it for moisture if needed. I don't even know if he can fit in it, but he certainly hasn't tried.
Any advice is much appreciated

[satomi325]

Congrats on your new snake! And welcome!

Hiding during the day is completely normal for ball pythons. They are a nocturnal animal. A happy ball is a hiding ball. The only reason your snake is in the fake plant is because it doesn't feel comfortable being out in the open. Your hide(the log thing??) seems large and too big for a baby. Ball pythons like being in small tight hides where they can touch all sides, which is why its hiding out elsewhere. Or is your hide identical Tupperware containers on both the hot and cool side?



All your temps and humidity are spot on though! Good job on that!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Plunks]

I just put the log in for him to climb on. The hide is behind it. It's an upside down flowerpot with a hole cut out for him. No, my hides are not identical... Should I switch out my Tupperware container for another flowerpot? Or would he be more comfortable touching the top as well as the sides? Like a large bowl or flowerpot base dish?

[PitOnTheProwl]

He will regulate as needed.
You have your set up really spot on
I would do smaller identical hides

[Kaorte]

I think it looks pretty good! I also agree small tight fitting identical hides. I just grab a couple plastic cereal bowls from the dollar store, they work very well

A new ball python will often not use its hides for the first few days, he will find them eventually, don't worry!

[Plunks]

Thanks guys. You're awesome