Help New Ball Python Owner

[Craiga 01453]

Hi, welcome to the forum and congrats on your new snake.

I'll help clear a few things up for you...

Getting an accurate age is really difficult, based on so many variables. Some hatch smaller than others, some don't start eating right away while others eat like pigs from day one, some are "maintenance" fed, etc...

There is no need for a timer for your light. BPs don't require a day/night light cycle. They actually prefer dark and extended periods of light can lead to a stressed snake. If your light is your primary heat source, just stick to dark purple bulbs or consider a CHE (ceramic heat emitter).

You'll probably have better luck getting two identical cave style hides, one for each end. BPs are finicky and will often choose one hide over the other for security and sacrifice proper temps because they feel more safe in the other hide if the hides aren't identical. The trees and log hides are unfortunately not the best choice for snakes.

When you say "probably averaging 80 degrees" it tells me you need to get things dialed in more accurately. Setting up a thermostat is 100% your best bet to stabilize your heat.

Are you only heating with the lamp or are you also using an Under Tank Heater (UTH)? ALL UTHs MUST be regulated by a thermostat to prevent serious burns to your snake, or worse....

As for feeding, it is 100% counter productive to feed in a separate feeding tank. Feed inside your snakes enclosure. If you're worried about substrate being ingested set down a few paper towels or paper plates, or even a small piece of cardboard.
Moving the snake prior to feeding causes stress. This may lead to food refusals. IF the snake eats, then you still need to move it back into it's enclosure. Now you're risking regurgitation, or being bitten. A snake will often remain in feed mode for hours and sometimes longer after eating, which makes moving the snake back to it's enclosure dangerous and not worth it.
Feed INSIDE her enclosure.

I would advise reading the stickies in the husbandry forum and focusing on getting your husbandry correct.

Are you using a UTH? Is it regulated?
What are you using to measure temps and humidity? Where are you measuring your temps?
Maybe show us some pics of your setup and enclosure??

The more you tell us the more we can help you...