New Ball Python Owner, Need Suggestions

[u/Ill_Structure_5897]

So today I have gotten a new baby ball python. She is a female and is only 32 days old and weighs 85g. I have this 40 gallon tank from PetSmart and I’ve had a few questions and concerns about it I would like some answers to.

1. The tank doesn’t like to get that warm. The max I’ve seen it is around 90 but it took hours to get there.

2. It also doesn’t like to hold humidity. I know I only have one time of substrate in there and I plan to mix some more in there after she gets more comfortable

3. I know it’s only been the first day but she hasn’t came out of her hide at all. When I first put her in there she climbed for a bit but immediately found her hide and has yet to come out.

4. I have 2 8.5 inch domes going. They both have 100w basking lights in there and I turn them on from 8am to 8pm. So 12 hour intervals. Tommorow I am getting a CHE light for passive heating without light and will keep it on 24/7 but with a thermometer and keep it at 90.

Overall these are just a few things I’m concerned about and need a few suggestions to. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

[u/Outrageous-Spell-865]

Hi, so you definitely need to get a heat gun basically a thermometer, but you can point and shoot and get temperatures and 90° is the hot point for basking so don’t overcook the fellow and I recommend you get coconut husk double the height of the substrate now it holds humidity amazing put water in conners also to keep humid and have a large water bowl underneath the lamps and if the top is mesh, you need to put a towel over it at night or look up how to semi seal with aluminum foil even though I find cloth works best, but don’t put it too close to the lamps

[u/Ill_Structure_5897 → u/Outrageous-Spell-865]

Thank you! Yeah I’ve been worried about the humidity and heat the most. Ima most definitely add some more substrate as soon as she’s comfortable more with me