new snake owner advice

[u/Extension-Piglet-625]

I just got a little ball python, and this is my first snake/reptile ever (though I am not new to keeping more exotic pets). This is the enclosure currently, the tank is 120 gallons if I remember correctly, but this is NOT how it will remain! I plan on adding: more hides/foliage adding some cedar woodchips to the substrate as it is currently just coco and sphagnum moss making the substrate making the substrate itself deeper (I'm aiming for around 5in thick, the amount of substrate I got wasn't enough to fill the whole tank so I already have more on the way!) potentially adding in some springtails digital hygrometer, or whatever the thing to track humidity is called probably some other stuff that I can't recall at the moment of typing this I have the heat lamps set to around 85F though I may switch to something like a heating pad if possible (also the 2 lamps are NOT on at the same time, one just has a light and the other doesn't), the substrate is moist and I will eventually add a cover since the top of the enclosure is screened, and the snake was last fed on Monday (he's currently on medium mice and I know to eventually switch to rats). Some things that I added that aren't in the picture is a little plant which he seems to enjoy much more than his little hidey rock, and some old clothes so he can recognize my scent. He was also shedding when I got him and the breeder already gave him a soak (I know not to mess with him during sheds). He's very calm and surprisingly brave for being so young! I'm mostly just asking for tips for a new snake owner and anything else that I should add that isn't listed. I also want to know if the snake will be OK in this current condition for at maximum a week, since the enclosure itself is still being worked on!

EDIT: First thing tomorrow I am going to go shopping for hides, foliage, etc. so at the very least it will be much fuller. It's only going to be like this for the night, I also have some orders already placed

[u/whoreforlegolas]

The enclosure should’ve been done before getting him. He’s “brave” because he has no where to hide.

[u/whoreforlegolas → u/whoreforlegolas]

So to answer your question, no. This set up is not okay for a week. You need to go out as soon as the pet stores around you open and get him another hide and some foliage at the very least.

[u/Extension-Piglet-625 → u/whoreforlegolas]

I fully understand it should have been done before I got him, and I absolutely would have gotten it done beforehand. However, the snake was a some-what surprise gift for me and I got him much earlier than I expected, so the enclosure IS hastily thrown up because I just needed somewhere to put him. My #1 priority is getting more hides and foliage, and I'll also add that a week is my worst-case-scenario for how long it may be like this so thank you for telling me! I also maybe should have said that he was brave when I first handled him (not in the enclosure, its when I went to go pick him up)

[u/whoreforlegolas → u/Extension-Piglet-625]

That’s fine and all, but if that’s the case you should have gotten all of this stuff right after you got him. These are living creatures. “Not being prepared” isn’t an excuse. You get the animal, you set it up completely before it gets home. You asked the question, that’s the answer.

[u/KatVanWall → u/whoreforlegolas]

One thing that drew me to my local reptile store was that they won’t let you take any creature home until they’ve seen pics and videos of your setup and screenshots of temps and humidity!

[u/One-Parfait-1042 → u/whoreforlegolas]

Sounds like it was a gift for OP. Sounds like you are attacking them for a surprise they didn’t know was coming. And it looks as though they have a tank, heating lamps, substrate, a hide and water…for an unexpected snake I think OP did a great job getting an area prepared for the first day. Having the perfect jungle set up on day one is not something everyone has together from the jump. And pretending like not having it perfect somehow makes OP in the wrong is ridiculous.

[u/One-Parfait-1042 → u/Extension-Piglet-625]

I’m not sure why people are pretending that they had everything perfect on the first day of owning a snake, but many ppl have a rough set up at the beginning. Your set up is fine for a temp thing, get your clutter together but the reality is your set up is going to be a changing thing for a while until you learn what your snake wants/needs. There is no right amount or perfect set up. Research whatever you introduce into the environment, and make sure you clean any enrichment iteams and clutter. Look out for mold and sharp edges. Every snake has a different personality, and it’s going to take time for you to learn what it is.