New user with new python

[Tyson88]

I'm going to strongly agree with what the others stated regarding the light fixtures. In the wild ball pythons get their heat source from the warm burrows they hide in, not the sun above. So belly heat is essential for healthy digestion and a healthy snake. All of my snakes aren't even active during the day, unless it's feeding day than most will come out when they smell the rats. I only provide natural sunlight through the Windows of the room they are in and this is only to mimic a natural light cycle for them.

Unless the snake is consistently refusing food, feeding every 6 weeks definitely does not sound like enough. I feed all mine every 5-7 days generally unless they refuse, which I have one girl whose currently in a 2 week food strike. Also, keep in mind all my snakes are still pretty young and still growing. So for a mature snake like this one, I'd say maybe once a week would be fine and if he refuses, just wait a week and try again. As for feeding live, that's a personal preference. I feed all mine live because in my opinion it's more natural for the snake to hunt it prey but if you continue to feed live, please please make sure you monitor the process! A small rat has the ability to do some serious damage with those teeth of theirs. In fact, I'd rather be bitten by a snake than a rat lol

Make sure your provide two hides, one on the warm end and one on the cool end. My favorite expression I've heard on this forum "a hiding bp is a happy bp!" lol
Also, make sure to invest in a quality thermostat for the heat pad.

Hopefully some of this helped!

Still pretty sure the sun will warm the burrows lol

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[ChelseaV]

Still pretty sure the sun will warm the burrows lol

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That may be the case but it doesn't change the fact that ball pythons are not basking snakes. They do not lie on top of logs or rocks in order to obtain a heat source. They hide in burrows in the wild and in captivity they hide in the provided hide. So unless your ceramic heater is hot enough to heat through the hide you have provided for your snake and warm him to appropriate levels in order to maintain proper health and digestion than it is highly recommended for all new owners, such as the OP, to use a regulated UTH.