Newbie...need some help.

I just got my BP today. He's about 12-16 inches long, doesn't like to stretch out for a measure. Anyway, the pet store (Petco) told me that they tried feeding the BPs today but that only one ate and they didn't know which one it was. So my first question is..when should I try to feed him?

The next part is this - I bought a book on BPs and it said that you should handle your new BP often so that they get used to you. Then I read online that when you get a new BP, you should let it sit for a few weeks, then feed and THEN start handling. Which one has worked best for you?

Petco is... special :rolleyes: It doesn't suprise me that only one ate, and it really doesn't suprise me that they don't know which one it was.

At petco, they are really big on the F/T thing only. Unfortunately, baby bp's don't override their own insticts in sympathy of Petco's ethic policies.

Also, be careful of the sources you collect for information on ball python care. You have found an indispensable source of quality knowledge, with some really awesome people!!

Now, for the handle/not to handle question. Your new friend needs to be left alone for a while.
It has been very stressed out at the store, with (probably) inaccurate temps and humidity, glass sidings, and a bunch of other snakes in the same tank fighting for the prime area of the tank to hide in. Make sure the tank is in a nice quiet place, with lots of hiding places. Also make sure the temps and humidity are correct. Do you need help with that?

Leave it alone for about a week, and give feeding a shot. I would suggest live, personally. If it doesn't eat, leave it alone for another week and try again. When you get him on a good eating streak, you can try taking him out more and more, starting with maybe 5-10 minutes at a time. You'll notice the snake starting to get antsy and crawl faster, looking for something to hide under. That's when it's had enough and needs to go back home.

Any more questions just feel free to ask!

Thanks! That helps a lot!! I'm so glad I found this place. ;-)