New owner with a few questions.

[SekiMoshu]

I would replace the hide on the right with something more secure, that's probably why he's favoring his left side one if temperatures aren't off. Also, you should replace those dials on the side with digital thermometers and hygrometers. The dials are notoriously inaccurate. Actually, I think the left hide looks a little too open as well, but if he likes it, that's perfectly fine.

Personally, I like the hides from Reptile Basics, but they aren't very realistic (http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes). If you want something realistic, you can try making your own hides for him. Here's a thread with some information on that (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tic-quot-Hides). They're cheaper than the ones in stores, and they look really nice.

And you don't need to worry about getting him a new cage anytime soon, he looks like a baby. It'll take him a little while to outgrow that. Pumpkin champagne, huh? Where did you get him? I love champagnes, don't have any yet, though.

I was going to get an identical hide for the right side when they came in stock in the store. I know he's a 2014 hatch and his breeder said it should be about a year before he would really need a new one. Though I may have to try that home made hide box myself, it looks really good and sounds like a lot of fun. I do a bit of crafting/painting and such myself and make my own clay already. I also do plan on getting the digitals. I did a lot of research before getting him but the temp gun and digital probes were something I discovered after he got here sadly. I also just purchased a scale online for him and the other pets in the house (We have a cockatiel and a cat as well) so we'll always know their weights. I'm not entirely sure what I should be feeding him either. I know he's about an inch and a half thick in the middle and about a foot and a half long. It's hard to get an accurate measurement of how long he is without getting him out because I've been trying to give him his space for the first week and at least until I can get him to eat the first time. What I heard from his breeder he's about 250-300 grams right now and will take f/t mice or rats.

I went to the local reptile shop to inquire about some feeding tongs because I don't want to use my actual fingers. I'm not scared to get bit at all but the girl said that 'i don't need feeding tongs for a ball python and that I shouldn't be scared to get bit. But that I also need to get him on live and that's probably why he's giving me a hard time eating.' I explained to her that's not a good idea since I live in an apartment and I'm pretty sure my landlord wouldn't approve of it she only said 'Why? It's just being used for food.' Fact of the matter is, if he doesn't want to eat it, I'm then stuck with a rat/mouse that's alive in my apartment. I live in a city, I'm not gonna be able to release it outside because it will breed and cause problems for others. I prefer not to have the scent of mice/rats on my hand if I don't have to so he doesn't have a reason in the first place to strike at me. Also I live in an apartment, I'm pretty sure my landlord would flip out if there were live mice or rats in the place. She was a little unsure about the snake but after I showed her pictures of how small the bigger sized ones were, and how docile they were she agreed and he's now on my lease. He's a sweet little guy and has been really patient with us so far and I'm more worried my hand close to his face would scare him out of the idea of food more than the idea of him mistaking my hand for the food and then she kinda bullied me into a sale of a weanling rat that kinda looks on the big side for him. Needless to say by the time I left I was a little frustrated and I don't believe they will be getting my business again so I think I'll be ordering his food online from now on. People on this forum seem to favor The Big Cheese and Perfect Prey. Any others I may want to consider? I'm staying far away from Rodent Pro because of the craziness that went on from some people's babies getting sick. I won't take that kind of risk with mine.

The breeder I got him from was Vesper Ball Pythons. I think they only have a facebook page for their sales but they were very nice and professional. Got a receipt for him when I put down the down payment, took extra pictures of him for me. And actually suggested I get him since he was gonna be my first snake since he was well started on food. In the future after I've had him for a few years I'd like to get one of their coral glows as my wife seems to have an eye for them. From what I heard there will be more pumpkin champagne babies this summer.
https://www.facebook.com/VesperBallPythons

Sorry for the super long post.