Help!

Hey i'm getting my bp within the next couple of days, its roughly 5ft long so it must be a couple of years old..I was wondering if i should leave her alone for the first week so she can get comfortable in her new home or is it okay to handle her when i get her ? :confused:

Congrats on the new bp! It's best to hold off on handling until he has eaten for you. Most folks give 5-7 days. You may have to handle him a bit to clean the enclosure, but I would limit it to just that. A couple of days after feeding you can start handling.

If it's 5 feet long it's likely a lot older than a couple of years old.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

If it's 5 feet long it's likely a lot older than a couple of years old.

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yeah I know i just didnt want to put a number on it because i dont know how old she is...probably 4 or 5+

I think balls tanke like 7 or 8 years to get that large.
But yes, even full grown snakes should have their time to get acclimated to their enviroment and have a chance to get atleast 1 meal in them. So give her a week, feed her then wait another 48 hours. So 9 days before handling. I know its a long wait, it was torture for me too, but its worth it to make your snake "happy".

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Originally Posted by knott00

I think balls tanke like 7 or 8 years to get that large.
But yes, even full grown snakes should have their time to get acclimated to their enviroment and have a chance to get atleast 1 meal in them. So give her a week, feed her then wait another 48 hours. So 9 days before handling. I know its a long wait, it was torture for me too, but its worth it to make your snake "happy".

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Sorry I'm new to the whole reptile world, so I wouldn't really know. Thanks for your response :salute:

As everyone said, give her about a week, and then another couple of days after handling. &, of course, read as much as you can. I know you've been on here for a while asking questions, so that's good. Feel free to ask as many more as you want :)

When I got my BP I really wanted to hold it so I just held it the first day, and the second day, and the next day I fed and it ate. It still has been eating every single time I offer it food, I usually only hang out with him once a day.

Since she will be new in her environment she will be stressed out within the first week. When you bring her home, wait a few days to handle the snake. After the few days, slowly and calmy handle her so she knows you aren't going to hurt her or do anything to her.

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Originally Posted by jblaze

When I got my BP I really wanted to hold it so I just held it the first day, and the second day, and the next day I fed and it ate. It still has been eating every single time I offer it food, I usually only hang out with him once a day.

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While that may have worked for you and for this particular snake it is generally accepted that Ball Pythons, and most snakes for that matter, need some time to settle into a new environment. During that time it is accepted practise to avoid handling or attempts to feed.