My first Ball

Hello Amanda, and :welcome: to BP.net. And, Congratulations on your new Ball Python. Some snakes will convert to f/t without any problem, some will need time and work, to convert, and there are some who just refuse f/t. Even though you may be aprehensive about feeding live prey, that is what your snake is currently established on. I would recommend feeding live prey for at least 4-5 feedings. Once you have him feeding regularly, then start working on converting him to f/t. Good luck with whichever you decide.

what a great choice for a first snake. nothing compares to a pied. you obviously have great taste :)

Thanks everyone! I'm super excited to hold him, but I'm trying to wait until Friday when he eats
My only problem right now is actually finding a place to get live rat pups. Petco and petsmart are out of the equation totally...but Petco does have live feeder mice, idk if that could be an option or not since he's been eating rats

It's your choice. You don't have to try live if he takes the f/t without issue.

Gorgeous little one :) You made a good choice and sure you both will be happy together.

I'm also getting my first ball python, which is a piebald as well. This is one of my biggest worries as well, whether or not he'll easily convert from live rats over to f/t rats. Hopefully we both are able to get them on to f/t easily.

How many grams was he when you bought him? Looks about the same size as the guy I'm getting.

Hello Everyone. My name is Andres and I am a new proud owner of a desert Python. I got him at the retile expo. He is an adult and has bred a few times. My concern is that he is aggressive. He snaps at me when I enter his field of vision. And when I hold him he will hiss for a while. I've had him a month and he just ate a few days ago. Any advice on how to get him to call him down? His name is Leo... Short for Leonidas, but my kids call him the angry snake. Advice will be greatly appreciated.


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Hi Andres, I recently got a bumblebee that does the same thing. As long as he is eating well then you can start to work with him. Buy some thick leather gloves if you're afraid of getting bit. Then handle him for about 15 min twice a day to get him to get used to handling. It's starting to work on mine, now he just huffs and puffs but doesn't bite. Just remember to get him settled in and eating before you do this.

Welcome to the forum! You've got a gorgeous first bp. Can never go wrong with a pied :)

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Originally Posted by papoluca1910

Hello Everyone. My name is Andres and I am a new proud owner of a desert Python. I got him at the retile expo. He is an adult and has bred a few times. My concern is that he is aggressive. He snaps at me when I enter his field of vision. And when I hold him he will hiss for a while. I've had him a month and he just ate a few days ago. Any advice on how to get him to call him down? His name is Leo... Short for Leonidas, but my kids call him the angry snake. Advice will be greatly appreciated.


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My guess is that he was never really handled much and was just breeding stock. Handling him as much as possible w/out stressing him out might calm him down. He might be set in his ways too though.