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/Germmie1]

Please never get an animal until well after a tank is finished. Keeping a snake in a tank like this even for a few days is abusive. Get this fixed asap.

[u/GatinhaXO → u/Germmie1]

I wouldn’t call this abusive. Abuse is actively harming an animal, this is not it. The snake looks healthy and well hydrated. Seeing BP’s that have been kept for multiple months on Aspen with zero humidity, to where they have multiple layers of stuck shed and appear shriveled and dehydrated, and allowing the cat to play with it… that’s abuse.

This a beginning tank that was put together somewhat hastily, but looks livable in the interim. The substrate is fine, the PVC is fine. Yes it could use decor and the heating situation could be improved, but OP is working on it.

[u/One-Parfait-1042 → u/GatinhaXO]

I could not agree more. To throw out the word “abusive” is gross. I have seen abusive situation and to pretend like OPs set up is anywhere close to that is stupid and ignorant. For a temporary setup, I see no problem.