Welcome Monty

Hi,

I am a brand new snake owner. My new little boy's name is Monty, he is a baby BEL that I purchased at the Hamburg Reptile Show in Hamburg, PA. I didn't plan on getting a baby, but every BEL for sale at the show was a baby, unlike a lot of other morphs and non-morphs. So, I am taking the challenge of learning about this while Monty is growing up. I fed him a live Hopper on the advice of the breeder and he ate the first try, I had him 7 days when he first ate. I have only held him twice, once a day before he ate and then 3 days after, giving him time to digest and get acclimated to his new home. I took the advice of some other videos and posts that I have looked at and basically just lifted up his hide and then just scooped him up from behind quickly and he quickly just uncoiled and began using me as a jungle gym. I am not going to overdo it with holding him, maybe once a day for just a short time unless he as recently eaten or is in shed. I am excited for him to get comfortable with us. I am attaching a couple pictures of him. The second picture is a bit blurry but I didn't realize how hard it would be to take the pic while holding him LOL. As time goes on I will show more pictures. Thanks for viewing this post!

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._resize_17.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...6_resize_8.jpg

Welcome to both of you. You should fit right in around here. As you are new to ball pythons, I suggest you review the forum's very excellent care sheet, if you haven't done so already.

:welcome: Cute little beep- but I always thought "baby bel" was a kind of cheese? :D https://ball-pythons.net/forums/imag...CgAoAKACgD/9k= (just teasing!)

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Welcome to both of you. You should fit right in around here. As you are new to ball pythons, I suggest you review the forum's very excellent care sheet, if you haven't done so already.

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Thanks, I have checked out the care sheet. The one thing I am addressing is smaller hides since I had planned to get a juvenile snake the ones I have now are a little too large, I have smaller ones ordered.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

:welcome: Cute little beep- but I always thought "baby bel" was a kind of cheese? :D https://ball-pythons.net/forums/imag...CgAoAKACgD/9k= (just teasing!)

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LOL thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TallJRock

Thanks, I have checked out the care sheet. The one thing I am addressing is smaller hides since I had planned to get a juvenile snake the ones I have now are a little too large, I have smaller ones ordered.

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You might try wadding up some paper to make the hides seem cozier until he grows into them- snakes aren't very critical, lol. ;)

Welcome!

Monty is a handsome lil fellow!!

Quick update. Monty has successfully eaten all 3 feedings. I am going to feed him at least one or two more live Hopper Mice before I try to switch him over to frozen/thawed. I am attaching some pictures of me holding him most recently. Oh, and he does love the smaller hides, they both keep him much tighter and he seems much more relaxed when I get him out from one of them.

When he first comes out, he is in his standard little ball:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...902_091131.jpg

He then gets to using me like a jungle gym. He is much more comfortable as time goes on and is not as skittish when my hands go in front of him, I have been able to pet him on the head some.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...902_091207.jpg

After he's gotten a fair amount of exercise, he calms down and sometimes stays in this position, he is all stretched out along my arm with his head near my elbow.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...902_091220.jpg

It's been an absolute joy giving him time to be inquisitive. He is still not super thrilled if I go in his enclosure when he is already out exploring, but I give him his space and don't try to force it. He is only 6 weeks old after all. I don't know why I haven't gotten a BP until now, because so far this has been such a great experience.