Normal Breathing? / OK Handling?

[GreenTea]

Hi everyone.

I am newer to the hobby and brought my first baby ball python home about a week ago ago. He ate the day after being brought home and has been super chill when handling. He enjoys his hides and sometimes comes out to explore.

He does not seem to mind handling at all - No aggression, and he will just crawl into my clothes, curl up, and rest, or sometimes explores a bit and then will find a spot he likes. When I'm watching youtube videos or doing homework he will sometimes come out and 'stand up' to look at the screen, it seems. I can even "pet" him, along his body and even under/top of his head without him flinching or recoiling.

I'm a behavioral therapist, but snake behavior is something newer for me, and I just want to make sure he really is this chill and I'm not just making a mistake.

I have included a video of him breathing here, sometimes he seems to be breathing like this, other times slower. I have also included some photos of how he hangs out when he's out of his enclosure to see if it looks "normal." I know there is variance from snake to snake.

Here's an unlisted link to a youtube video showing his breathing and some photos of him during various hangouts to show what his body is like. In one he's asleep on my leg, in another he's wrapped on my arm, in another he's just hanging out in the blanket, not really hiding just kind of sheltered and hanging out. Two others of him hanging out on the bed or computer.

Thanks for any help you can provide. I haven't seen any mucus or signs of illness. I don't see him near his water bowl often but I know that doesn't necessarily mean he's not drinking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUWHvmMey4U

Pictures aren't working for me for some reason right now.. will try again, here's the video.

[KayLynn]

Breathing like that is usually a minor sign of stress - ball pythons aren't like dogs in that they don't enjoy pats on the head and being out of their home for too long. Handling sessions shouldn't be too long, I never have mine out for more than 15 minutes and never more than twice a week (but that's just me and I have 9 snakes to boop). If your snake starts flicking its tongue rapidly for a consistent period of time, its movements become quick or flighty, or it starts nosing around for a place to hide it's time to put it back.

It's recommended that when you first get a snake to not handle it for at least a week to allow it time to acclimate, or until it has eaten for you a few times. Do not handle your snake for up to two days after it has eaten or you risk it regurgitating food, which can cause other health issues. Handling too often can cause defensive behavior like hissing and striking or food refusal.

[GreenTea]

Hopefully this will work..

https://imgur.com/a/QwOlw

[GreenTea]

Breathing like that is usually a minor sign of stress - ball pythons aren't like dogs in that they don't enjoy pats on the head and being out of their home for too long. Handling sessions shouldn't be too long, I never have mine out for more than 15 minutes and never more than twice a week (but that's just me and I have 9 snakes to boop). If your snake starts flicking its tongue rapidly, its movements become quick or flighty, or it starts nosing around for a place to hide it's time to put it back.

It's recommended that when you first get a snake to not handle it for at least a week to allow it time to acclimate, or until it has eaten for you a few times. Do not handle your snake for up to two days after it has eaten or you risk it regurgitating food, which can cause other health issues. Handling too often can cause defensive behavior like hissing and stricking or food refusal.

I realize they aren't dogs Mine seemed especially chill so I tried gently touching around the head to see if that would cause any striking or hissing which it did not which is why I included it. It's interesting you say that about the tongue, because others have said if they are flicking the tongue intermittently and looking around they are smelling and exploring, so Im not sure what the truth is there. The snake was not handled except for when it was brought home until two days after it had eaten. I haven't seen any striking, or hissing, and he is due to eat again in a few days. I won't handle him the day before feeding, day of, or two days following.

[KayLynn]

It's interesting you say that about the tongue, because others have said if they are flicking the tongue intermittently and looking around they are smelling and exploring, so Im not sure what the truth is there

Intermittent is fine, it's when it becomes constant and in rapid succession that is usually a sign to put it back. Even the most docile ball python is susceptible to over-handling. You know your snake best, but I'm just reiterating what is the general rule of thumb for new snakes and proper handling.

[GreenTea]

Intermittent is fine, it's when it becomes constant and in rapid succession that is usually a sign to put it back. You know your snake best, but I'm just reiterating what is the general rule of thumb for new snakes and proper handling.

Thanks KayLynn. I tried to do lots of research beforehand which is why I think my snake is probably less of the normal. My fiancees snake is visibly more stressed when he's taken out and handled, he wants to hide more, he slithers a lot, so he's only been taken out a little bit. My guy seems much different in "personality" so far, I just wanted to do a check here so thanks for your input.

[GreenTea]

I just offered food again (been 4.5 days and he's very young) and he struck immediately and is eating, so I think he's just a happy, chilled out dude! Still happy to hear other responses.

[Craiga 01453]

The video doesn't show an animal that is overly stressed, but the breathing is a little heavier than typical, relaxed BP breathing.

I agree with what KayLynn said above regarding the tongue-flicking. Slow, curious, tongue flicks are normal, but once the flicks become a little more frequent and erratic it is a sign of stress.

I also agree with her about the handling and acclimating. It is advised to let a new snake, especially a juvenile, acclimate to it's new home before doing much handling. I personally advise to let the animal get 3 consecutive meals without a refusal before doing any regular handling. Then start slow. Maybe 10 minutes twice a week, increased to 15 minutes twice a week. Then it becomes up to the individual keeper determining what the animal is comfortable with.

Sounds like your BP is a pretty chill example, especially if he doesn't seem head shy at all. However, I would still give the snake time to acclimate. Husbandry issues are public enemy number one when it comes to food refusals, and stress from insecurity and handling are a close second. In many cases, a juvenile snake will eat it's first few meal offerings, primarily because they are hungry from being maintenance fed prior to being sold, and then once they aren't so hungry will refuse due to husbandry or stress issues.

In the big picture, you've got 30 years to hang out with your snake. So waiting a few weeks with the animal's stress and health as top priority is advised.

[GreenTea]

Solid advice for sure. I've already been handling him daily without food refusal, but I'll hold off more until that 3rd meal goes down. He switched right from live to f/t with no issues either. He only moved about 20 minutes from his breeder to my home, so there was no shipping process or anything. We are getting snakes shipped to us who are older, and I definitely will give them more time to settle in before handling them as that's a much bigger stress.