Newb here. Want something to critique?

[herpaddict]

Hi there, Im new here. Im wanting to get some clarification on how my setup for my new ball python, Clyde is. I recently purchased a bumblebee morph ball python from Petco. I had been doing some heavy research for about two weeks prior with an interest for a snake for the past year. I have four bearded dragons and I am pretty experienced when it comes to them, but the ball python is a whole new game for me. Anyways after observing that he seemed pretty healthy from what I knew and asking a few questions about him, I impulsively bought him.

I purchased him on January 6th, so tomorrow night(monday, the 13th) will make a week that I have had him. I had him in one enclosure I set up but was unsatisfied, as I couln'td attain the required temps and humidity for the guy. As a result, I hauled ass to build another enclosure and got it done by wednesday evening. I got him in it that same night. This tank is more secluded so I hope he feels more secure and adapts easier. I am able achieve his required temps and humidity easier but at times I am having trouble maintaining the humidity. I have a herpstat 2 ordered and it should be here tomorrow. I have his waterdish over the area of his UTH. I have to have his UTH going under his enclosure from the front until I get the herpstat 2 and it is only half way under. The reason being is I dont want to overheat his enclosure.
His temps are as follows: Basking spot=90-95 & 85-90 at night; Ambient enclosure temp=77-82; and a humidity that ranges from 50-75%.

I tried feeding him Friday, the 10th since petco says they last fed him the previous Friday. He seemed interested in it, and sensed it with his tongue flickering but did not eat it. I tried this enticing him with it using a pair of tongs for about 5 minutes with no luck, so I left the thawed adult mouse in his feeding container and left the room (covering the top of course) for about 15 minutes. Came back and he still hadn't eaten. I understand this is to be a possibility.

So to sum up:
-I brought him home the 6th.
-had to briefly handle him two days later to switch him into a better enclosure.
-his new enclosure is similar to a rack system enclosure but designed just for this single container. It is covered on 3 of 4 walls. It measures 15 inches front to back and 22 inches from left to right.
-he has two hides; one within a basking spot area and one on the cooler side.
-spent the whole week maintaining his temps and humidity.
-I will have a herpstat 2 tomorrow.
-handled him briefly friday to bring him to his feeding enclosure & then again after a failed attempt, which I handled him for about 2-3 minutes before returning him to his home.
-I haven't handled him since.
-When I tried to feed him, it was supposedly, according to petco, a week since he last ate, but only 5 days since I have had him.
-Every night, I check on him through the outside of his enclosure and seem him out from his hide doing what looks like exploring haha.
-his belly seems nice and white.
-his temps have been around where they are supposed to be, or at least to my understanding.
-All 4 times I have handled him(at petco, bringing home, switching enclosures, and feeding attempt), he has not showed any aggressive behavior. Although he seems very head shy.
-Petco says they have a had him for three months and that he was a transfer from another petco, which means according to the sales associate who seemed somewhat knowledgable, that they had to have had him at least a year. He was guessing that Clyde's age was approximately 1.5 years old.
-The sales associate said that when they got him in, he was so aggressive that he was striking at the glass from inside his enclosure.
-I understand that pet store staff are often at times misinformed.
-I weighed him right before feeding him and he weighs 206 grams.


MY QUESTIONS TO THE EXPERTS:::
-does my set up look and sound acceptable to Clyde's requirements?
-does the temperature of the water in his drinking bowl matter? I currently have his on his UTH to assist with the humidity.
-Since tomorrow makes it a week that I have had him, can I start to handle him or should I wait another week or until he starts eating?
-Is a year and a half a good approximation for a male ball python who looks to be 24-28 inches long and is 206 grams in weight?
-The petco guy said he couldnt get him to eat F/T adult mice but he got him to eat half of mouse the next size down from an adult mouse. The widest part of his body is definitely at least the the thickness of an adult mouse. Should I stick with the F/T adult mice closer to his needs or should I try a smaller size like the petco guy said.
-Are the behavioral traits of a ball python cemented in by the time a snake reaches the possible age Clyde is, or do I have a chance still to tame this guy if done properly?
-I attempted to feed on this past friday, the 10th...I assume I shouldn't try again until this coming friday?

OK, well to anyone who made it through that lengthy, boring post, thank you.
ANY feedback will be very appreciated. There should be two links to this post for pictures of the snake and his enclosure.
[IMG]http://www.flickr.com/photos/2169/11922729194/[IMG]
[IMG]http://www.flickr.com/photos/2169/11922271405/[IMG]

Thanks,

Josh

[wycked]

Seems very small for a year and a half. My male is about that and pushing 600 grams. And even that is on the small side.

Also it's entirely up to you but most people will tell you not to bother with a special feeding enclosure. It's personal preference alone. There's not really any benefit to moving him prior to feeding, and it will only make him uneasy.

[thejenius77]

He would seem pretty underfed for that age. My guy is between 8-10 months and weighs 450g. And he's not the best eater.

Try feeding him IN his regular enclosure instead of moving him. Most people here feed that way. He might still be anxious due to the move. You could also try feeding him a live mouse & see if he'll take that. Get a digital kitchen scale to keep track of his weight. He can eat prey that is as wide as he is at his widest part. I would try feeding every 4-5 days. It could also be that he just decided to go off feed. It seems to be the trend right now. Just keep offering & keep an eye on his weight.

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[ROACH]

Sounds like he is a little under weight. Ive got a few 6 month olds that are over 300g right now. Like thejenius77 said you can also try feeding live and see if he will eat for you.