Handling

Should I put my baby BP back in her enclosure if she remains in ball while in my hand?

No you don't have to. If she's a baby-baby, she's scared all the time and how ball pythons defend themself is by balling up (hence, the name).

Also, welcome to the site! We would love to see pictures of your little worm. :snake:

Thanx! Yeah...I'll get a pic up this week. This is my first snake, so I'm just a novice. I know several seasoned snake breeders and keepers due to the fact that I'm a spider keeper. I own close to 70 tarantulas, several scorpions, 3 American Pitbull Terries, as well as a few other pets. I have always apperiated the beauty in snakes, but I have always been intimidated by them. Well, something just "clicked" at the Repticon this weekend and I got a female baby BP. I have been told by some to let her get settled into her new home first and hanndle her after she eats her first meal...but couldn't help it lol. I picked her up tonight because I don't want to lose my confidence lol. I was walking around with her wrapped around my wrist...all proud at the show while in the company of experienced snake keepers...just wanna keep my confidence rolling...I know that sounds hilarious to most of u, but this is a big step for me...it was actually one of the highlights of the show.

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Originally Posted by Enki40

Thanx! Yeah...I'll get a pic up this week. This is my first snake, so I'm just a novice. I know several seasoned snake breeders and keepers due to the fact that I'm a spider keeper. I own close to 70 tarantulas, several scorpions, 3 American Pitbull Terries, as well as a few other pets. I have always apperiated the beauty in snakes, but I have always been intimidated by them. Well, something just "clicked" at the Repticon this weekend and I got a female baby BP. I have been told by some to let her get settled into her new home first and hanndle her after she eats her first meal...but couldn't help it lol. I picked her up tonight because I don't want to lose my confidence lol. I was walking around with her wrapped around my wrist...all proud at the show while in the company of experienced snake keepers...just wanna keep my confidence rolling...I know that sounds hilarious to most of u, but this is a big step for me...it was actually one of the highlights of the show.

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I know what you mean, I have the exact opposite issue you do, I'm really intimidated by spiders. One of these days I just need to get one so I can get over my fear.

Like I've said before here on the forums, 15 foot snake no problem... 5mm spider no way lol.

I just sat still with my 1st ball when he did that and eventually he got comfortable enough to check me and the surroundings out.
The time he spent balled up got shorter until, well now he surprises me when he balls up because he so rarely does.
Congrats on your new pet.

Yeah...it's funny that a lot of people have our problem lol. Either spiders or snakes...

Thanx...

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I know what you mean, I have the exact opposite issue you do, I'm really intimidated by spiders. One of these days I just need to get one so I can get over my fear.

Like I've said before here on the forums, 15 foot snake no problem... 5mm spider no way lol.

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X2 I can pretty much handle anything without an issue, except spiders, even seeing spiders in an enclosure is enough to give me goosebumps

lol you guys and your fear of spiders (though I shouldn't talk i have a deathly phobia of centipedes and milipedes) :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Enki40

Thanx! Yeah...I'll get a pic up this week. This is my first snake, so I'm just a novice. I know several seasoned snake breeders and keepers due to the fact that I'm a spider keeper. I own close to 70 tarantulas, several scorpions, 3 American Pitbull Terries, as well as a few other pets. I have always apperiated the beauty in snakes, but I have always been intimidated by them. Well, something just "clicked" at the Repticon this weekend and I got a female baby BP. I have been told by some to let her get settled into her new home first and hanndle her after she eats her first meal...but couldn't help it lol. I picked her up tonight because I don't want to lose my confidence lol. I was walking around with her wrapped around my wrist...all proud at the show while in the company of experienced snake keepers...just wanna keep my confidence rolling...I know that sounds hilarious to most of u, but this is a big step for me...it was actually one of the highlights of the show.

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I too was afraid of snakes when I got my lil girl! I could not put her down, I've handled her on avg once a day since I brought her home but she's always exhibited a lot of confidence... I've yet to see her ball up. At any rate congrats!!! Beware the eminent addiction ;) and as long as your baby is showing signs of a stress free animal handling her while she's balled is ok IHMO. She'll get "used" to being handled and soon enough she'll be zooming around trynna check everything out