I bought my first baby ball python on black friday. I had been researching like crazy and i felt prepared and excited for my new pet! We got him, brought him home, held him for a bit, and but him in his cage. I had seen some places say that I should wait a few days before I took him out, and other places said a week or so.
I took him out on sunday, and he was very still and seemed scared so i put him back. I took him out again on tuesday but then he started to snap at me so i put him back again. I decided that I should let him alone for a bit so he will be less stressed. I've been making sure that his temps and water are fine, but other than that I have left the cage pretty much alone.
Yesterday (Friday, a week after i first purchased him) I saw he had shed, excremented, and the water was gone. I washed his bowl and filled it up again, but I wasn't sure whether I should take him out to clean his whole tank. It is now Saturday, we have mice to feed him, I just do not know how to go by doing this. Should I feed him now? In his cage or in the box we set aside for feeding? I plan on cleaning his cage while he feeds. Is it okay to assume that after he has eaten and I have waited the proper amount of time after a feeding, that I can start handling again?
Thanks!