I bought a ball python yesterday from petco...



its about 15" long i'd guess.. i haven't held him yet.



I had some questions. When I purchased him he looked like he's in the stage of shedding... his eyes were a little foggy, but they have seemed to clear. I'm not sure if its because the humidity dipped down or if its the natural shedding that happens which i've read about their eyes clearing first. I've had him for a day and he won't leave his hiding spot which is on the cooler side of his aquarium (20L). I have two different types of bulbs i've been trying out. a 100w day glow and a 75w basking lamp. between those i can get the hot side between 90-94 but the cooler side seems to stay around 88. I'm not getting the heat gradient i need. on hot days in my apartment ambient air tends to be around 82-84. When I left for work today i left the incadescant bulb on becuase it wasn't very warm, however it was a scorcher by the time i got back. 94 in the basking, and 88 in the cooler side, when i lifted up his hiding spot he was panting a little bit (mouth closed) is this normal? also should i try to feed him yet? Any suggestions on getting a better heat gradient. I have a heat pad on the cooler side that i turn on at night as an only heat source. the coolest i can get the cool side is about 82-84... im open for all suggestions.. I'm also trying to figure out its age. Whats the age for the first shed?



Any responses in email form would be welcome to,

Thanks,

Nick

Iwish7284@aol.com

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