Rescued Snake

[End Times]

I am employed as an Agent with the O.S.P.C.A. and recently a Ball Python was surrendered to our animal shelter. A woman apparently brought it in claiming that her son had moved away to work as a Forest Fire Fighter and couldn't take it with him. She herself wanted nothing to do with it, so brought it in begging the shelter staff to take it! At first the staff refused (I wasn't there at this time) saying that they wouldn't be able to adopt out a snake! After the shelter manager was dragged into things, it ended up that they charged the lady a $20.00 surrender fee and took the ball in.

I arrived at 4:00 PM that day to work my evening shift to find the girls sqwacking about a snake and that they were greatful I'd finally arrived to care for it and set it up for the night. The staff are aware that I once had a Ball Python in my care for a couple of months as a friend was out of the country, so suddenly that makes me the "snake guy" apparently...

Now, to get to the point:

Long story short, the snake is super tame and appears to have likely been handled on a regular basis by the previous owner. I brought it home the very next day and thus far all is well. Warm side is sitting at 96, cool side at 85. I'd like to get it a couple of degrees cooler, but my house is naturally hot in the summer months so hopefully those temps will be alright for awhile. Currently, the snake is in a 35 Gallon Aquarium (the lady brought it in with the snake) but I do have a rubbermaid ready to go should husbandry proove too difficult with the tank.

The snake measures a little over 3 feet, I'll get a more accurate measurement in a few days after its had time to settle. It appears to be at an ideal weight as it is thick bodied and healthy looking, I have no scale as of yet to get an exact weight. The lady stated it was around 1.5 years of age and that it ate a live mouse about two weeks prior. Despite the fact that it is "due" to eat, I've decided it would likely be best to give it a week to settle in before I attempt to feed it. The lady also said that she thinks the snake is male and that it's name is "Hercules". I realize you can't tell by looking, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's a female. Looks to chunky to be a male...

I have a couple questions and if anyone can take the time to reply it would be much appreciated.

- The snake defecated today, and all appears visually well with the feces. I've taken a sample that I intend to take to the vet for testing just to be sure. How long is the sample good for in the fridge? In other words, can I wait a few days before having it tested or would the sample spoil?

- The snake thought it would be fun to lay in its crap. In the future, would it be safe to use a hypo-allergenic baby wipe to clean such messes from the animal's body?

- I would love to get the snake eating F/T. To my knowledge, it has so far eaten only live. Should I immediately try to get it on F/T or should I get a feeding or two in with live first? As I said, it apparently last ate a live mouse 2 weeks ago. Also, I'd hate to feed live again after having it's fecal done. I'd feel better if I could get the all clear from the vet and then be already feeding F/T to not have to worry about it getting any parasites in the future.

- Right now I am using a heat lamp for heating... I know, don't shoot, please! Anyway, if I move the snake to the rubbermaid (or leave it in the tank) I have concerns about leaving a heating pad on 24 hours a day. I know heat tape is the method of choice for balls, but I have only the one snake and don't intend on building a rack anytime soon, so heat tape is out of the question right now. Does anyone use heating pads designed for human use 24 hours a day? I don't want to burn my house down!

Thanks all. Oh, and I do own and have read "The Ball Python Manual" from front to back.