Handling question and maybe some help needed !!

[willgti]

Hey everyone just a quick question I have about handling my newly acquired ball python .

Basically to make a long story short I have had him for about 3 weeks now first couple of weekend went well in terms of feeding and what not but not so well in the handling part (tagged 2 times,Striking,Hissing etc.... ) .

So he has not missed a feeding so all of that is well off .....I didnt touch him for about 2 weeks as I wanted him to settle in some more and he was in the process of shedding which also went well it came off in one whole solid piece I was happy about that ....So after he shed I fed him which was saturday and left him be for another 48 hours ....

Today this is where my questions is ...But basically I took him out and he was amazing just flicking his tongue cruising threw my hands and hesitation about nothing me or the snake he was all chilled out I had him out for about 30 mins and then put him back .....I came back later about 4 hours after and picked him up again but this time he seemed really impatient and kinda looked like he just wanted to get away or maybe not be touched .....So is there some sort of guideline to go by in terms of taming the snake for handling ? Like whats the easiest way that I wont be concerned and the snake wont be stressed to get him used to handling ? Should I hold him once a day more than once a day etc etc .....Maybe for s certain amount of time ? ....Or when he seems really squirmy should i keep holding him put him back ? also any reason why they get squirmy like that ?

Sorry for all the questions or if I have confused you I will clear it up if needed

Thanks for any help

[Snakesonly]

What I do to make them 'tame' is holding them about 3 times a week for about 10 to 15 mins. Also I do not pick them up in the beginning when they are in their hideout, this way you do not disturb them while sleeping or when they allready feel agitated/stressed.
This should minimize the impatient reaction you get.
When they are adjusted to being picked up now and then, it will be fine to take them out more often. But keep in mind that too much is never good.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

A few questions here

How old is the animal?

How big is the enclosure?

Can you describe your setup in details? (hides, temps, humidity etc)

What prey size is he eating and how often.

[willgti]

A few questions here

How old is the animal?

How big is the enclosure?

Can you describe your setup in details? (hides, temps, humidity etc)

What prey size is he eating and how often.

The snake is an 2010 august 1st it was born so just about 7 months old

Enclosure is 15 gallon long .2 hides on the on the cool and one on the hot with a water dish in the middle ....80 degrees ambient temp 92 degrees basking temp and 60% humidity

Eating on small rats/weaned rats every 7 days

[gardenfiend138]

The only thing I try and do is not handle two times in a day, and when I do handle, it's only for 20-40 minutes. This includes letting them explore on my bed, but it's inevitable that they always try and hide. I think they more tolerate being handled than "liking" it, but mine do tolerate it very well. That being said, they usually seem apprehensive to be picked up, so when I remove their hide, I wait a second, let them react to me, then touch the middle of their body to let them know I'm there, then gently pick them up, and they are always roaming as soon as they are in my hands. I think they just get squirmy because they are nocturnal, so they are going to be constantly trying to hide if handled during the day. Hope this helps!

[willgti]

The only thing I try and do is not handle two times in a day, and when I do handle, it's only for 20-40 minutes. This includes letting them explore on my bed, but it's inevitable that they always try and hide. I think they more tolerate being handled than "liking" it, but mine do tolerate it very well. That being said, they usually seem apprehensive to be picked up, so when I remove their hide, I wait a second, let them react to me, then touch the middle of their body to let them know I'm there, then gently pick them up, and they are always roaming as soon as they are in my hands. I think they just get squirmy because they are nocturnal, so they are going to be constantly trying to hide if handled during the day. Hope this helps!

I guess maybe thats what i did wrong I took him out about 3 times and the third time he got squirmy ......So maybe I will stick to once a day for now and see how that goes ...... Just get freaked out when he is staring at me when Im about to go in the enclosure when i lift up his hide ...I really don't want to get tagged again lol ... but he shows no signs of striking when he is in my hands which is nice ... Ill try the once a day thing and see if he gets squirmy and what not ..

anyone else can add i would appreciate that
thanks !!

[Homegrownscales]

Definitely stick to once a day. They are very secretive animals as well so even though they tolerate handling they aren't down to play all the time. Day time handling too can be a little frustrating for them they are nocturnal animals so they don't want to be up in the daytime. Stick to 1x daily not after eating and not when shedding.
Hope this is helpful

[Kaorte]

Use your best judgement. If you take your snake out and he is relaxed and seems comfortable, then he is fine to handle. If you take him out and he seems scared or like he is trying to get away, then maybe it is best to put him back.

I try to keep handling sessions short, 10-15 minutes at a time and not usually on the same day. Handling is stressful on them even though we would like to think that they enjoy it, it simply isn't the case.

As for when to take the snake out. I just do it whenever. I don't care if they are in their hides, out of their hides, day or night. I don't handle my snakes a whole lot so they get plenty of time to sleep and do their thing without being disturbed. I actually find that the snakes are much more handleable when I take them right out of their hides. Gives them less opportunity to bite me