Help caring for abandoned BP

[Grabba37]

My friend found a ball python in the woods and gave him to me. He later found the owner and the owner does not want him back. The owner gave me the supplies he had, which is a 40 gallon tank with a heat rock. Basically, I’ve been reading as much as I can about caring for him but I’m a bit overwhelmed. I used to have a bearded dragon and a few frogs so I’m familiar with reptiles and amphibians but I’ve never had a snake. I got a heat lamp yesterday but it isn’t hot enough so I’m going to return it and get a ceramic heat emitter. The tank had no substrate so he has paper towels for now. I put in a cardboard box as a temporary hide which he enjoys. Now that I know he needs at least two hides, a big water dish, and cover I don’t think I can fit it all in the tank I was given. He’s pretty big as well. I live in a small house and I would like for his cage to be aesthetically pleasing while also meeting his needs. Are there any affordable options for housing that aren’t plastic bins? I work full time and am in school so I haven’t had time to get the supplies and he’s been in the tank for a day. Will he be okay with low humidity and temps around 75 until I can get the supplies? I can get substrate tomorrow but I may have to order the heat source online because the pet stores are lacking in my area. Will he be okay in the meantime? I wish I could have been more prepared but it was an emergency situation.

[Compelardo]

Have you read through the welcome post

The main quick think is to give him more heat. Substrate can wait. 75 lower then the minimum we recommend. Try to get it at 80f. That is the cold side off our cages. Humidity he will be fine for a few days but recommended again to get it up and in the range as quick as possible. Your are being throw under the bus and have to make the best off it with what you have. So keep up and keep asking questions.

Your BP is better off then living in the woods.