Expert: Kevin L. Ogle - 11/3/2009

Question
I've had my female ball python who is about 20 inches long for just under a week and she is awesome ! so to make sure i am doing everything right i want to double check.
she has 3/4 inch bark with a water bowl at one end and a hide/half log at the other in a 10 gal tank, on top i have a red UV heat lamp which the pet store told me to leave on all the time, is this ok and is there a good place to have it eg: over the water bowl or over her log? i don't have a heat pad yet as the store told me i didn't need one but I'm thinking i would like one her?  i keep reading about baths as her eyes are almost bluish which the store said was a sign of near shedding? i am also pouring water in her bark to help with humidity, should i pour the water in a particular place or spread it out? i have handled her daily even the night after she fed which i found out i wasn't meant to do. can i over handle her? she is super friendly and seems to enjoy being on my arm when I'm walking around or just watching TV. i just want to do the best for her and keep her healthy and happy,
p.s. i will be adding new hide spots of different kinds so to give her a choice of where she likes best,

thanks in advance Dean and Penelope

Answer
Just some general suggestions: Make sure that the heat lamp is on one end of the tank and that the other side of the enclosure is kept cooler so the snake has a choice. If you put a heat pad down, put it on the already hot side, not on the cool side. Cloudy eyes are a sign of shedding. They will clear up and she will shed 2 to 3 days later. Add water to the bark via a spray bottle, do not pour it into the tank. As long as the snake is comfortable, I do not think you can over handle her. It is a good idea to wait 2 to 3 days after feeding to handle her. Keep in mind that this snake will grow quickly and you will need to go to a 20 gallon long aquarium or bigger.