New ball python.

[dArKmAiDeN999]

Hello! I'm new here and need some pointers. I already know that you're supposed to wait a week or 2 before handling a new bp. I do know that everyone is different and have handled their bp way before a week has passed. Well, I received my male het pied yesterday from BHB Reptiles and as soon as I took the bag out, he starts striking. I know I would strike too if I were in a box being jumbled around on a FedEx truck, but he also struck at me when he was in his tank. How long have you guys left your ball alone and how long before you feed it? My ball is already out of his hide and has been exploring his tank non stop. Could he be hungry or just curious about his new home? Any advice would help! Thanks!

[Daybreaker]

Congrats on the new BP!

Striking is normal for stressed younger babies, he'll probably grow out of it in time. I usually wait around a week or so to mess with new additions, but have fed the next day after receiving them with success. I usually wait for 2-3 successful feedings before handling new snakes (besides to clean substrate).

[BHReptiles]

Like what was said above...

I usually leave them alone for a week before I feed them. After that, I make sure that they have eaten 3-5 meals consistently (no matter how long it takes) before I begin handling them. The striking your new boy is doing is just defensive because he's a baby. Don't let it scare you. A baby's bite doesn't hurt at all!

The roaming you are seeing is your ball python getting used to it's new habitat. Make sure your temps are in appropriate range (88-90 on the hot side, 75-80 on the cool side) and whatever heat source you are using is hooked up to a thermostat (very, very, very important). Also make sure your tank has two or more identical hides (hot side, cold side, and maybe one in the middle) and keep your floor space covered. This will help your new boy feel secure in his new tank and it should help with him eating and settling down to where you can handle him without him striking.

Another thing that you didn't mention but is important for first time owners is to keep an eye on humidity. Because you're using a tank, you will struggle keeping temps and humidity. If you find that this is a problem, cover most of the top of the tank with a damp towel and maybe change your substrate to cypress mulch, eco earth, coconut husk, sphagnum moss, or a mixture of them. This along with misting 1-2x daily will keep your humidity. Remember when your boy goes into shed, humidity should be 60-70% and around 50% at all other times.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! We are here to help you provide the best of care to your new boy.

BTW: Brian from BHB is an awesome guy! I've got a corn snake from him and met him at the NARBC show last August.

[dArKmAiDeN999]

I do have the humidity in check. Since this is the only take I have available right now ( Ordered a tank made for reptiles but my bp got here first) I make sure his tank temps are correct. I check them about every hour. I had a water bottle and I would mist the tank when the humidity was down. I will try the damp towel and see if it works better. I also noticed that he just got done shedding? Maybe? There are leftover shed scales and when I opened the bag he came in, there were a bunch of shed scales in there as well. I also am curious about his size... He is about 16 to 18 inches long. Does this still make him a baby or juvenile? Sorry for all the questions, I have read up on ball pythons but all I have read about their size is how big they get when they're adults. I just want to make sure he is comfortable and happy here in his new home.