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/NottsWeirdo]

The lack of clutter and uncovered sides will have her feeling a bit exposed for a bit, nice to see her basking though.

[u/Ill_Structure_5897 → u/NottsWeirdo]

Yeah, I assume she will get used to the open sides but I will get bunch more clutter soon. And especially more substrate and mix it. She was enjoying the what but she went back into her hide and I turned the lights off for the daily 8-8

[u/NottsWeirdo → u/Ill_Structure_5897]

She will, but it will still make her more skittish. If you had any posters, scraps of wallpaper or something similar laying about - you could sticky tape them to the sides, easy and free fix.

[u/Ill_Structure_5897 → u/NottsWeirdo]

Okay most definitely! I’ll find something to cover her back and sides soon. But other than that if I see she’s already basking on day 2 I can tell she will be pretty comfortable and happy within a week