BP puffing air

[Bogertophis]

"Stick-on" heating pads do not go on the side...they go underneath the bottom (outside, not inside where they'd pose a shock risk). Heat rises, & snakes cannot
lay on the side to warm their tummy for digestion...that's why these types of heat are called "UTH" (Under Tank Heat). Is this a glass tank, btw, or other type?

By the way, and I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. We were all "new" at keeping snakes at one time, so don't be afraid to ask questions...in fact, thank
you for stepping up & taking care of your late friends's pet...that's really special.

Back to your questions, it would help us to know more details: lowest temp. in cage and highest temp. in cage, also the humidity. This requires proper (accurate)
thermometers or "temp. gun" & humidity gauge to answer...if you don't have them, you need to get them. You also MUST regulate any & all heat devices for safety-
the UTH needs a thermostat, a.s.a.p. Lights or overheat CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter- gives off heat but NO light) can be controlled either by thermostat, or (less ex-
pensively) by a rheostat (aka. lamp dimmer, available at ANY hardware store...you'll probably want the kind on extension cord w/ dial control, ready to plug into-
but they also sell the kinds you have to hard-wire in, depending on how "handy" you are).

The reason heat is so important is that it sounds to me like your snake has an RI starting...(respiratory infection) & that can happen when they aren't kept warm enough.
Temperatures are very important when keeping snakes, especially BPs because they need MORE warmth & humidity than do many other kinds. Warm side should be
about 88-90* (max) and cool side should not be lower than 78*, pref. about 80*. Humid hides are one way to give enough humidity, but many here humidify the whole
enclosure by using substrate that retains humidity pretty well.

Snakes don't need lights & rarely enjoy them overhead, so yes, turn that blue thing off. If you need the overhead warmth, you can use CHE, red or black incandescent
bulbs (remember to use dimmer at least!) or RHP (radient heat panel) installed. One place you can look up such equipment is on ReptileBasics.com, click 'products'. They
are a good source (reliable) but by no means the only one...I am not paid to endorse them, lol...just trying to help explain things since you're new.

BPs are usually very docile snakes btw: puffing is not the same as hissing, & while he's shy, it's unlikely that you'll provoke a bite if you remember that snakes are shy &
afraid of us instinctively...& that they do NOT identify us visually. Yes, they can see, but mostly go after motion (assume it's prey) so the way you let them know that you
are NOT prey is using scent & touch, their 2 best senses. If you're too chicken to reach in & pet him mid-body, use a padded stick of some kind, & a little patience will
go a long way.