New BP Owner - Question on Handling after Feed

Well, in the past I have owned everything snakewise in the size bracket of rather large (Ever see a 7 year old with a red tailed boa?) to very small (garter snakes, corns [well, corns get MEDIUM but they start and stay pretty small). Heck, I've even done some handling of more venomous critters (looove eastern diamondback rattlers), and even crocs and other varieties of snakes and lizards...

But today I brought home my first... medium sized, and apparently, very easy snake: Ball python. I've always loved the little guys for the fact that they are happy to just chill out with you, and since I am alone most of the time, I needed a snake just like that. However, I came across this issue. I got my ball today (about 18 inches, haven't grabbed his weight yet), and one of the first things I did after letting him kill some sterss was give the little guy some food. Now I'm in a conundrum about how long I should wait til I can hold my baby again (yes, the snake is my baby...). I know with corns there was a recommended at least 12 hours, preferably 24. My boa, she didn't really matter. But then, when I had my boa, I had my bedroom snakeproofed and a few nice hot spots she could lay, and my room was constantly temped at about 78 degrees, so she just went where she wanted and did what she wanted for most of her life. Rattlers you waited two to three days, but that was mostly because they had a tendency to get a bit snappish after their feedings.

So long and short of it, when can I have my new baby out here hanging out with me again? I've seen everything from 12 hours to 3 days... and 3 seems a bit outlandish; that leaves two days out of feeding every 5 days to handle the snake.

Thanks, and sorry this got a bit long winded,

Valdyr

48 hours seems to be the norm, lets the "gut" settle as well as the snake. I am sure there are others that will offer up some knowledge, but I found 48 to work well. Both with our new BP (adopted) and other herps.

I usually wait anywhere from 48 to 72 hours just to allow them to cool down. My kids eat live, and so they're definitely more aggressive right after feeding...for me anyways. My female is usually wanting out around 36 to 48, but I let her chill the full 48 before I handle.

I'd also recommend that around the fifth to seventh day, you keep your handling to a thirty-minute period. My kids, at least, tend to relax A LOT...all over my ex, my parents' bed...yeah.

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Originally Posted by Melicious

I usually wait anywhere from 48 to 72 hours just to allow them to cool down. My kids eat live, and so they're definitely more aggressive right after feeding...for me anyways.

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Ahhh, I'm only feeding my ball frozen and thawed food... no live. While my red-tailed boa never bit me, feeding her live, but she did a number on my stepfather a few times when she was getting hungry and he went a snoopin' in my room. Hahaha... good girl...

Haha. My het. albino male has lunged a couple of times at my mother, but that's because he's not fond of anyone else but me.

48 hours works for me, but listen to your BP...it will let you know if you pay close attention to it's behavior.