Last night my fiance and I decided to buy a juvenile ball python. The pet store was unable to verify the sex, so I was wondering if there is any way to tell, other than having the snake probed by a vet. The only information the pet store gave us was the fact that he has just got done shedding. They didn't tell us when his last meal was, but soon after we brought him home he pooped in the box we had him in. When should we feed him next? My fiance's friend who also owns snakes is going to bring us a rat tonight, but I think it may be too soon.

We have set him up in a 10 gallon aquarium with a piece of bark, a small branch, and a water dish. To provide heat we placed a heat lamp on the outside of the cage. I would prefer the lamp to shine down into the aquarium from the top of the lid, but the lid we are currently using is plastic and I don't want it to melt. Earlier he felt cold to the touch, so I placed a heating pad on low underneath the aquarium. Later this evening I plan to make another trip to the pet store for reptile bedding, an actual reptile heating pad (the one we are using just for today is for humans) and a bulb to use at night, as I understand they are nocturnal and need a rotation of light and dark. Is this correct? I've been reading online articles on BP's, but I just want to be sure I'm going about this the right way so mine can be as healthy as possible. Any feedback is appreciated.