Handeling after feeding?

Well tonight is going to be feeding night and I had one question. How soon after feeding can I handle my ball? I figure I will leave him alone tonight. But we normally handle them several times per day. Thank you in advance for any info you can give.

When I feed my BP I usually just leave him be for the night. I've heard about an hour at least, long enough for the food to move into their stomach so they don't regurgitate it, but I'm not sure how accurate that time frame is.

48 hrs is a good rule of thumb.

I just wanted to note that my ball and corn both just took their food like champs. This is their first feedings for me. My 6 year old son was quite interested in watching the corn eat since that is his snake and "George" put on quite the show.

Is it normal for them to drink a bunch right after eating? Because he went straight for the pool and guzzled away.

Oh, just saw your 2 replies. Thank you. I was figuring 24 hours but may go with the 48 hours. It is just like I said though, we tend to handle each snake about 3 times per day. We will get our fix some other way.

Ball Pythons are ready to be held 24 hours as long as their well established.

Other species like boas need longer more of 3 days to digest.

You should always give 48 hours after a feeding before handling! They need that time to digest or they may regurg!

I agree with everyone else, and to address your question about drinking; yes, BPs drink most often right after a feeding.

24 hrs i would say is ok. But your safe bet is 48.

I always give them 48 hours .....it seems like it is totally digested after that. We feed them on Saturday afternoon and take them out starting on Tuesday. We always throw a blanket and towels down and let them crawl around on that. This seems to get it all flowing and either on Tuesday or Wednesday of doing this they have their urates as well as their poo and it is almost always on the towel. After that they have free range to cruiz around upstairs. Just keep an eye on them...they will go where you do not want them too....:rolleyes:

This has been a practice we started when we first got them and they seem to be doing great!