Earlier today I purchased my first Ball Python along with all of the other necessary supplies to take care of it, and I just have a few concerns.

1) Since I purchased all the gear along with the python, I was unable to clean/scrub out the enclosure, and also couldn't, "preheat" it as well before releasing my python into it(The tank eventually reached 80 F and also had ~50% humidity right before i sent her to "bed"). But anyways, how bad for the bp is this?

2) I (stupidly) bought a very large tank for it (30 freakin' gallons) and am beginning to think its a big mistake. At first she (my ball python) was, "exploring" (I think that means they're stressed) but eventually settled down over the heat pad near the area that's supposed to be the warmest. Does anyone else have experience keeping a fairly young (not sure about the exact age, but looks approx 1-2 feet maybe) in a relatively large enclosure? Tips or advice would be appreciated, also I do know that pythons feel secure in small spaces

3) I am currently using a reptile carpet, but it looks pretty damn tacky, would the ball python be fine if I replaced the carpet with substrate? Also I plan on using coconut husk substrate since I heard it maintains humidity better, can someone confirm?

4) For heat I use one of those heat lamps, I'm sure the specifics aren't too important, but anyways, I'm wondering if anyone else uses heat lamps, and what are the alternatives to a heat lamp? I heard they suck the humidity out of the enclosure, but I placed a thin damp kitchen towel over the mesh lid and the humidity was ~50%ish right before I sent him to, "bed"

4.5) Is it safe to put my heat lamp up close against the thin mesh on the top of the tank? I have it suspended in the air with magnets about an inch away from the tank; is this okay?

5) What time should I send my python to, "bed," (by bed I mean turn off the lights)? I turned off her lights at 10 PM, does this sound about right? Maybe earlier, but I do know to turn on the lights at 10 AM, since I guess days are 12 hours in the areas they're found. Also it gets light at 7:45 and dark at about ~4ish, so if I, "wake," the python up at 10, there will already be daylight shining through her enclosure partially; is this fine?


Don't get me wrong, I didn't just dive into this without doing any sort of research, but I am super worried I'll make a mistake and make her go on hunger strike or some jack like that. Any answers appreciated. Also I'm new. Did I mention I was new?