First time ball python owner

[Walkingdragon]

One of the best tips you'll ever get, make sure your husbandry is correct. Lmao.

On another note, congratulations on your purchase!

Thanks and what do you mean by husbandry?

Fairly new owner myself, going on about 3 months now. Number 1 tip/advice is never use a UTH without a thermostat. My zoo med UTH unregulated ran 158F at the glass and would burn a snake if not properly regulated by a thermostat.
Next bit of advice is to not get to freaked out about every little thing. These guys seem keep you guessing at times. Don't freak out if your snake refuses a meal, they just seem to do that sometimes to mess with your head 😊
This is a great place for advice and knowledge, but also remember these guys seem to have their own little personalities, go SLOW with your handling to lesson stress, 3 months in my snake has just now really gotten somewhat comfortable with handling.

I've already figured about the food thing and UTH as in heating pad correct? I've already been handling my snake just a little bit at a time, sometimes when he comes out from his little hiding place and sits on the cool side of the tank I will pick him up for about 3-10 minutes before putting him back. I let him crawl around me freely and I don't confine him from exploring, he seems to do pretty good with handling already and he ate Friday without any hesitation.

- - - Updated - - -

Congrats! First and foremost, the ball python care sheet under the "Caresheets" forum contains some great info. Actually all of the care sheets in that forum are excellent.

Second, other than the advice already given, I will pass along what I was told when I purchased my first ball python: get a rack, you will end up with more of them!

Wish I could get more, he'll probably be the only one I'm going to have for the next 5~ years unless I can get a good paying job!