Handling a New Ball Python (Question)

This is a general question that I seem to have gotten a lot of different responses to in the past from different sources.

I recently got a new Ball Python, and I was wondering how often should I handle him? He's VERY docile, and I know animals can vary on how much they can be handled without getting stressed, but on average, is there an amount they should be handled when they're new? Another wording to this question might be 'How long should I allow a new BP to acclimate?' He's still really young.

Also, my other ball python, whom is quite a bit older than the new baby is very "snippy". He's been like that ever since I bought him. I bought him when he was quite a bit older than a baby. He's very young nonetheless.. About 10 months I'd say. He doesn't hiss, but he strikes out more than most BPs do. He's never actually bitten me, but he coils his neck often. He is getting more and more used to me as I (attempt) to handle him, so my question is, should I try and handle him more often to continue to get him more used to me? I've already had him seen by a veterinarian so nothing is wrong with him. He's just snippy. I don't want to stress him out by handling him too much, but I also don't want him to become more aggressive towards me. Should I just try and find a happy medium?

Sorry for the long post! Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated :)

Rule of thumb is typically to leave him alone for a week and let him get settled into his new place.

Don't handle him until he is on a regular feeding schedule (once a week, typically)

After that, don't hold him tow days after they've eaten. :)

and...Welcome to the site :D

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

Rule of thumb is typically to leave him alone for a week and let him get settled into his new place.

Don't handle him until he is on a regular feeding schedule (once a week, typically)

After that, don't hold him tow days after they've eaten. :)

and...Welcome to the site :D

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Yep!:gj:

tow days.

i mean two days. :)

Thanks, I've heard anywhere from 2-3 days to 1month+, so I wanted to get a few more answers.
I wasn't expecting such a quick reply, but I'm not complaining. :)

Thanks for welcoming me to the site too, I'll be posting pics of the babies soon :)

After the settling in process slowly build up your handling starting at 10-15min when its awake for it to get used to being taken from where it feels safe (keeping it away from your face). As it gets use to you and becomes more active increase the amount of time. If it coils up in a ball or tries to escape you it is probably time to return it to its home. My snake is happy being handled 45-60min per day and generally tries not to go back in it vivarium. When it is out it rarely moves away from me exploring nearby and returning to my warmth fairly often.

When you handle your nippy snake use a flat palm to protect against the strikes it should just bump its nose against it without injury, after a while it will work out the futility of it and stop. Also minimise stress as much as possible using as low light as possible.

I theorise that if you put a shirt you have worn near the cage and leaving for a few day it may get use to your scent and relax. This works for mammals but i've never tried it.

Holding him more will stress a stressed out ball python more.

Keep your handling sessions short (10 minutes a day or so) and keep them positive. The moment that he relaxes, put him up - so that he'll associate relaxed behavior with getting what he wants (to be put up).

It will take patience and time, but he should relax over time. I have some that also S their necks and when I'm handling, I manipulate my fingers so that I'm gently straitening their necks out of the S posture and allowing them to gently gluide through my hands.

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The moment that he relaxes, put him up - so that he'll associate relaxed behavior with getting what he wants (to be put up).

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That's good advice.

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I have some that also S their necks and when I'm handling, I manipulate my fingers so that I'm gently straitening their necks out of the S posture and allowing them to gently gluide through my hands.

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That's exactly what I do with my male pastel who is still a little nippy.

i find that they feed off your body language and disposition, if your nervous while holding him, he'll be nervous.. i never have any fear when i handle my snakes and ive never been bitten, ever, same goes for your snake, read his body language, if it looks like he doesn't want to be bothered then don't, when i let a friend handle my snakes and they are jittery, the snake gets uncomfortable, just from what i've noticed