New to snakes

Hi all , I bought my first BP last Saturday and still haven't named it ! It's 5 month old.
Feeding has been fine and it has settled right into its hides. I tried to handle it last night but it is very snappy ! Does anyone have any tips on how to handle it properly ? Or just any general tips?! Any helped is appreciated. Thanks a lot !

Approach slowly maybe avoid his head region and handle frequently


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Time, patience and short handling times.

Dont be afraid of it. Handle it often and be gentle. When i bought my female spider she was a feisty little bugger! She use to strike at everything she saw. Now shes one of he calmest snakes ive seen. The young ones can be nippy at times but its all in self defense. Just be calm and show him youre not there to hurt him


Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close

thanks! its just scary when it strikes! but i reckon once i have been bitten i won't be scared anymore!

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Originally Posted by dylandevil

thanks! its just scary when it strikes! but i reckon once i have been bitten i won't be scared anymore!

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Ive been bitten by a couple of different snakes and it didnt hurt in the slightest. They always let go right away for me. Just make sure you dont smell like food to them and youll be fine. A hunger bite is worse than self defense and its also more preventable

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Originally Posted by Yamitaifu

Ive been bitten by a couple of different snakes and it didnt hurt in the slightest. They always let go right away for me. Just make sure you dont smell like food to them and youll be fine. A hunger bite is worse than self defense and its also more preventable

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right okay thanks for the advice! when is the best time to handle it? also i fed it two days ago.

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Originally Posted by dylandevil

right okay thanks for the advice! when is the best time to handle it? also i fed it two days ago.

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I recommend that you dont handle them for about 48 hours after they ate. Some people might only wait 24 hrs to handle but 48 is safer. If you handle too soon after feeding they might regurgitate the mouse/rat. When they are shedding or go into the blue I let them alone as well. Other than that you can handle him at any time. If you want to let him alone during the day and handle him at night since they are nocturnal you can but i handle whenever i feel like getting them out. I wouldnt handle too often just because you can stress them out. But make sure you enjoy him! ball pythons are the most enjoyable and addicting pets out there (my opinion). Soon enough youll want to get them all!!!

thanks for all that! i have decided to name him Heisenberg! also one more question , when i go to handle my snake how should i approach him ? i have read you should just go right in there and pick him straight up, but i have also read you should put the back of your hand towards him and let him smell you ?

When i get mine out i usually grab from the back and pick straight up. Once theyre in my hands i let them move around and then smell me. If you go straight in towards their face they might feel threatened and strike or just curl up. Most often people get bit while the snakes in the cage. Theyre going to try to protect themselves. Nice name too!


Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close