new to snakes and got some Q's

hi everyone
i jsut got a ball python about 5 days ago. i just found this website today and i am adjusting everything to fit the info on this website.ive got my temps corect and have 2 hides on either end of enclosure.
the thing im worryed about is that i have been holding my snake already, i was thinking was that it would help him feel comfortable knwoing im not a threat. i have heald him 2 times a day for the past 3 days and it been for like 10 minutes and then i would hold my hand infront of his cage tell he slither into it( im very patient haha).
he dosnt come out of his hide on his own and also what should i do for the future? if i stop holding him for awhile now will he remember me as somone that hes not comfortable with? should i just keep holding him now that i have?
thanks everyone for replies
p.s. he feeds in 2 days

Stop holding him.. he probably won't eat right away because all that holding is stressful.

Leave him alone for a week.

Even settled in BPs don't come out of the hide much.. most snakes don't. They are nocturnal, so you see more action at night.

Give him that week to settle in, and even after that don't overdo the handling for awhile.. they tame very easily, so don't worry!

Also, never handle a snake for two days after they eat.

I'd STILL be waiting if I waited for my guy to slither out of a hide and into my hands. I can almost guarantee you're going to have to take your BP out of a hide if you want to handle it. That's totally fine, just be careful about how you do it and all will be well. I agree though, I'd hold off on handling until he's taken a meal for you, that's the ultimate sign they're content. After that, I'd only handle him once a day, maybe for a bit longer intervals if once a day isn't enough. Getting taken in and out of the cage is the stressful part, once he's already out just be sure you're keeping an eye on his temp and watching for signs of stress so you know when to put him away.

If you've been handling the new snake a lot I'd stop and leave him a full week with just quick, quiet cage maintenance and water changes rather than try to feed in 2 days. A few extra days won't hurt the snake and it will let him settle in properly. Once he's taken a few feeds (once per week) then start with gentle, short handling periods. Most snakes tolerate handling better in the evening hours as that's when they are naturally awake. Try to start establishing routines with the snake that it will come to recognize with time.

When we remove a snake from it's hide for whatever reason, we lift the hide slowly, give the snake a moment to wake up or realize we are there, stroke it gently away from it's head then lift or move it. The snakes have come to know this routine and rarely react poorly to it.

Best of luck with the new snake and feel free to ask questions. This forum is wonderful for helping all us owners with whatever issues come up.


~~Joanna~~