New BP Owner

[JAYSMIT]

Hello All, I just purchased my first Ball Python. He hatched a few months ago. I have had others pet snakes in the past but never owned a python before.I have read up on the basic care of my new snake,But does anyone have any tips or advice that can make my expeirence with this snake enjoyable as all the others?

[daniel1983]

Welcome to the site!!! My advice would be to make sure you husbandry is correct and reliable. Correct and reliable husbandry will save you alot of worry and/or heartache. Consistant temps of 92-94 warm side/ 82-84 cool side/humidity 50-60% and proper hides, you should be set to go

Feel free to read our caresheet too:http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

[frankykeno]

Hi Jay and welcome to the forum. My best advice is to not handle the snake a lot or at all at first so it can settle in properly and be ready to feed well for you.

Other than that, next best advice you've already done....found this forum! LOL


~~Joanna~~

[JAYSMIT]

Thanks for the welcome. I am excited about owning this snake but i am worried about some of the horror stories ive heard about owning this breed of snakes, feeding problems,shedding problems,ect.right now he is in a 15g critter cage,i have a uth on one side a fairly large water bowl for him to drink and soak in,and one hide. the temprature on the hot end is staying around 90 to 91 and at night it drops to anrond 83 to 84.He has eaten twice since i purchased him.I havent handeled him much yet as i have only had him for two weeks now. the humidty level in the cage is arond 50 to 55. the thing that worries me is the thought of being bitten by him because the times that i have gotten him out he gets into the strike position and kinda acts like he wants to be left alone. I guess this is normal for a hatchling but it scares my wife as she really likes handeling the snakes we have for pets. I guess the fear of that will be overcome probbaly when he strikes or does bite one of us.So again thanks for the welcome and any further advice or tips would be really helpful.

[frankykeno]

I know Jay we heard the same "horror" stories as well about Royals. But because they were a reasonably sized snake and nicely heavy bodied rather than slim we decided it was the right snake for us.

We now have two of them and a third soon and they have turned out to be absolutely wonderful! Even our 4 year old handles the snakes with supervision of course. As far as feeding and shedding issues, if your husbandry is right on and the snake is not overly stressed, that seems to not be such a big issue. It certainly hasn't been with our two.

Two weeks isn't a lot of time for a baby to settle in fully really, as far as I've heard (I am a relative newcomer to this hobby). It's probably pretty scared. Adam maybe could post about his newspaper ball trick for settling in nervous snakes. From what I've read here it's a pure winner. If you use the search feature as well you'll find tons of threads with information you might find handy.

From what we've seen with our two ball pythons, going slow and steady with them seems best.

Best of luck with your new baby!

~~Jo~~

[daniel1983]

Jay, you may want to avoid the night drop. It is really not needed unless you are breeding. A constant temp of 90+ on the warm side will be much better for the bp. Most problems associated with ball pythons are the result of improper husbandry. Like I said before, If you husbandry is correct....you will have alot less problems.

[carter96281]

I wouldn't worry about being bitten. Balls aren't known to bite. Although I have been bitten by mine twice. I can tell you from experience that it doesn't even hurt. Its so fast, that it just freaks you out more than anything else.

[jotay]

Welcome to the site! It's a great site with awesome folks!

Young bp's get into the strike position most of the time when scared but few ever actually strike. Once he is settled in just handle as much as you can to get him use to you.
I use to handle mine every night except after feeding. It was kinda like the time you spend everyday training a new puppy. I would take Ozzy out and just sit him in my lap while I was on the computer etc and just get him use to me and me use to him. Now he is such a laid back bp I wonder someitmes if he is still breathing
And if he does strike at you do not put him down, continue to hold him for at least 5 mins so he will learn that striking doesn't work with you.

Try and lose the night drops in temps. When he gets older this can cause him to go off feed cause he is thinking breeding. As Adam always says a warm bp is a happy bp and a happy warm bp will eat. Try to keep the warm side 91-93 and the cool side 82-84 and he should eat just fine.

Good Luck!