How big are they?

[Emily-Fisher]

I was wondering how long it takes for a ball python to reach it's full size. But there is a bit more to it. I have read on the internet that ball pythons need a basking spot of 90 degrees. So in that case, should I use a heatpad <I>and</i> a heat lamp? How many watts should the heat lamp be? The snake would be housed in a 30 gallon aquarium (yes, with a locking screen lid.). I also read that wild caught ball pythons will have a very very hard time accepting mice as food. Is this true? About what percentage of the WC ball pythons <i>will</i> eat rodents? I am going to buy a captive bred ball python IF I even do buy on at all but I am still curious. I would really like to know every single detail of their care (except for breeding) before I buy my first python so that nothing goes wrong. Thanks in advance!!
Emily