How often can you handle a ball.

How often is it ok a handle a ball. My son is six and wants to hold it every day after school. Is this ok? It's only out for about 5-10 minutes but want sure if that was ok. We gave him a full two days after he ate first and will continue that with every feeding. Any suggestions.

As long as the BP is eating and overall is acting normal there is no hard limit. 5-10 minutes a day is fine. But if your BP stops eating, or is acting abnormal/stressed you should reduce/stop handleing the snake until things return to normal. Just follow the snakes lead

I handle 2 of my BPs every day and simetimes for an hour or 2. They havnt stopped eating and dont seemed stressed. Like Aaron said as long as he keeps eating then its ok. Your son can handle him whenever. Except after feeding. Some say they get a little nippy when they are in shed. Personally ive never had an issue with that.

Thanks guys, I guess ill let him continue to hold until I notice something off with the snake. I appreciate it!

I ordered my spider BP from another large breeder similar to BHB and she was a bit scared, stressed and nippy when I first got her. She now tolerates being handled (and was advised to by my breeder) twice a day for around 30 minutes each time. I started with 5-10 minute sessions once a day for a week, bumped it up to 5-10 minutes twice a day, and I am up to twice a day for 30 minutes (except feeding day and the day after). She has warmed up nicely and I think she expects to be picked up as when I walk into the room she slithers out of her hide seemingly to say, "Here I am, I'm all yours!" (not really but I like to believe it ;)).

I handle mine whenever. I've never had a problem with them stressing out.

thanks so much for posting this question. my son is also six and we just got our first BP. he wants to hold it ALL the time...LOL!

You are suppose to let it settle in for about a week before handling and even then try not to handle it too much until its eating regularly.

I think you really should handle your snakes every day if you can. Except if they are stressed, have just eaten or, eyes are clouded pre-shed.
I think it helps keep them tame, routines are good for most animals.

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Originally Posted by Raven01

I think you really should handle your snakes every day if you can. Except if they are stressed, have just eaten or, eyes are clouded pre-shed.
I think it helps keep them tame, routines are good for most animals.

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Why shouldnt they be handled before/during shed? Is it because they can be nippy?

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Originally Posted by Gerardo

Why shouldnt they be handled before/during shed? Is it because they can be nippy?

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they CAN be. but not necessarily. when they're eyes are in the blue it makes it harder for them to see so if they're already a sketchy snake it can make them a little more sensitive. my really tame ones don't seem to care though. just depends on the snake.

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Originally Posted by Gerardo

Why shouldnt they be handled before/during shed? Is it because they can be nippy?

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Usually they are quite uncomfortable at this time, as well as can't see as well.

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Yea i have to agree. I was just asking because ive heard this before but my normal has NEVER even hissed at me and i handle whenever and have never had an issue.

Really it depends on the individual snake.
But, yes.
Consider it from the animals perspective if you will. They can be grumpy at shed time to start with then, their eyes get cloudy so they can only identify threats by other senses like vibration, scent and heat. I figure if you are going to get a bite that isn't a mistaken feeding response and your animal is normally content and healthy that is a likely time.
That isn't to say there aren't many that can be handled at that time with no attempts to bite.

As everyone is saying here, it depends on the snake. I personally wouldn't handle during a shed yet until you get a handle on your snake's disposition.
Personally, my girl doesn't care. She just doesn't explore when she's blue and instead curls up in my lap when i have her out.

i have seen ones that are pretty nasty though. so just be cautious

I would usually wait 1-2 weeks after getting a new snake. I got a ball python 5 days ago and i had to redo his cage to add a Accurite thermometer and I took him out for about 15 minutes and he was balled up for a while then started exploring. Then I tried feeding him a f/t a few hours later for the first time and he ate. Every snake is different just do what works for the individual snake.

I handle mine right away and shove a meal at them, I'm weird like that. When it stops working ill stop doing it.

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Originally Posted by Rob

I handle mine right away and shove a meal at them, I'm weird like that. When it stops working ill stop doing it.

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What this guy said ^ But if they don't eat i don't handle them untill they eat unless i have to clean their cage. Nothing is written in stone you gotta find what works

My nine year old typically will take out snakes every day. No problems with not eating.

Thanks for all the above. My son handles everyday right now. We got him a week ago and handled for the first time on Saturday after ate Friday morning. He has been fine so far. We keep handling down to 5-10 minutes. Still makes me nervous when I see the snake getting near my sons face:confusd:. He seems very tame. Are there any pre indicators a snake is going to bite or is in a grumpy mood? Besides not eating are there other indicators a snake is stressed?

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

As long as the BP is eating and overall is acting normal there is no hard limit. 5-10 minutes a day is fine. But if your BP stops eating, or is acting abnormal/stressed you should reduce/stop handleing the snake until things return to normal. Just follow the snakes lead

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Yep. Each snake has its own personality, just try to feel out yours'. I do believe snakes can recognize who it is reaching into their cage and once they get used to you you can have them out a lot more often because they won't be threatened/worried about you.

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Originally Posted by Rob

I handle mine right away and shove a meal at them, I'm weird like that. When it stops working ill stop doing it.

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x2 lol. Haven't had a problem yet.

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Originally Posted by Seanjackmc

Thanks for all the above. My son handles everyday right now. We got him a week ago and handled for the first time on Saturday after ate Friday morning. He has been fine so far. We keep handling down to 5-10 minutes. Still makes me nervous when I see the snake getting near my sons face:confusd:. He seems very tame. Are there any pre indicators a snake is going to bite or is in a grumpy mood? Besides not eating are there other indicators a snake is stressed?

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You don't need to worry much about ball pythons. They're the most docile as snakes come, and even when the do bite, (from aggression), well, lets just say I heard that a scratch from a cat hurts more. It's also about your body language as well. If you're calm when you pick him up, then odds are you're not going to get bitten. If you're really that worried though, I suggest not handling during shed because more often than not they can get a little grumpy.

And also, for further reference, do not have your son handle the snake after he eats. It's best to wait 48 hours so he can digest it.

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Originally Posted by Seanjackmc

makes me nervous when I see the snake getting near my sons face:confusd:. ?

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No worries, I was afraid of that at first too :P
But now my ball python is almost 2 and if I lay her down on my bed with me she crawls over my face and I have zero worries, other than her fat butt pressing my glasses into my face lol :rolleyes:

If it makes you feel more comfortable you could handle the snake while you're by yourself to feel out its personality. So you can take the factor of worrying about your son getting bitten out of the equation and really get a feel for the snake.

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Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

No worries, I was afraid of that at first too :P
But now my ball python is almost 2 and if I lay her down on my bed with me she crawls over my face and I have zero worries, other than her fat butt pressing my glasses into my face lol :rolleyes:

If it makes you feel more comfortable you could handle the snake while you're by yourself to feel out its personality. So you can take the factor of worrying about your son getting bitten out of the equation and really get a feel for the snake.

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Thanks I've been doing that a bit when I can. So far he seems so chill and placid. I don't seem him biting for no reason. He usually stays in a ball for a minute when we first get him out and slowy seems to get more comfortable and enjoys exploring around. He seems to love my sons face he is always moving towards it. Almost if to say hmmmm what does my owner look like, lol

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Originally Posted by anwhit

You don't need to worry much about ball pythons. They're the most docile as snakes come, and even when the do bite, (from aggression), well, lets just say I heard that a scratch from a cat hurts more.

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Yes, a cat scratch hurts more, but the BP bite bleeds a lot more.
Years ago ( first and last time I got bit) I came home from eating pizza, went to change her water bowl and she bit me. (the whole event lasted a 1/2 second )
So now I always wash my hands before reaching into her cage, I haven't been bit since.
Harry

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Originally Posted by Seanjackmc

Are there any pre indicators a snake is going to bite or is in a grumpy mood? Besides not eating are there other indicators a snake is stressed?

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Here are some things I have observed;
If they "ball up" they are not happy,
If they hiss they are not happy,
if their toung is flicking around they are happy ( or simply "checking things out" ),
when their toung disappears (something is wrong) leave them alone.

Harry

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Originally Posted by Old Sloppy

Here are some things I have observed;
If they "ball up" they are not happy,
If they hiss they are not happy,
if their toung is flicking around they are happy ( or simply "checking things out" ),
when their toung disappears (something is wrong) leave them alone.

Harry

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Thank I've learned that already, when my son takes him out he is in his ball then he see s to relax and start exploring. I think we have a good one.