New snake owner questions

I just purchased my first ball python yesterday. He is 17 1/2 inces long and looks to be in great shape, evevyone says to not touch them for at least a week after bringing them home but he is moving around alot and very curious. I just took him out and handled him for over an hour and he was easy going and did not seem freeked out at all. As I said before he was very curious and wanted to crawl all over me. Is this OK or do I still need to give him a week of solitude?

Personally I'd wait about 2 feeds before handling him just to let him get used to his new enclosure. And to make sure that hes feeding regular and without problems. Also when letting him get accustomed to you I'd hold him 20mins daily after the 2 feed waiting period. After a week or 2 of that then hold him for and hour if you'd like. I usually hold mine at night time as they are nocturnal and so they are more awake and alert at the time. Hope that helps :).

I agree. Wait at least two weeks and two successful feedings. He may be exploring but that doesn't say anything about whether he's stressed or not.

I'm assuming you've checked caresheets and have the proper humidity & temp gradient... right? Good luck!

Welcome!!
Keep in mind that even though he seems curious and wanting to explore, he may actually be displaying a 'flight response' and is trying to find a place to hide. I would wait at least a week (minimum) before handling him. I would also wait at least a week before feeding as well. Two weeks before handling/feeding is the general rule....but sometimes one week is enough. Good luck and keep us posted on how he's doing. :D

Thanks, I will take all of your advise. He fed the day I bought him so I will attempt to feed him next week. The reptile guy at the shop said that he was the best feeder of the bunch and had shown no problems feeding what so ever. He doesnt even act real headshy, just a bit is all, and has never snapped or hissed at me yet. Hopefuly he is a good one. I payed $35.00 for him and thought it was a bit low of a price but could be wrong.

$35 from a pet shop is low, sounds like you got a deal. Hopefully he'll do just fine for you. Sounds like he's in good health and has a nice temperment. BP's usually have good temperments, probably why they are so popular as a first snake.

And sounds like he's set to make a great keep as well. It's hard to give em adequate adjusting skill in terms of making yourself go hands-off - our big girl came in as friendly as you could ask and it was hard to leave her be - took a lot of restraint. Good luck and of course, keep us posted!

man thats nuts, i payed 175.00 for my ball. Through a pet shop, it is the only place in the provience that sells balls.

WOW! 175? thats a lot, whered you say you got it? i thought mine was expensive at 90$...

The shop had larger ones(2 foot or so) at $65.00 also, and they had a burmese python (2 1/2 foot or so) for $60.00 also. They seem to be very knowledgeable about reptiles also, unlike alot of the shops that just sell them without ANY knowledge whatsoever. Another deal for you, I bought a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with a humidity indicator on it at Wal Mart for $12.00 It seems to be doing good too. I dont know how accurate the hygrometer on it is but it should do pretty good I hope...

I'm curious as to know how the whole not handling for a week thing came across. Was it based on research or an old wives tale? I handled Merry and pippin all the time and they seem to like it a lot. Pippin especially is really relaxed when he is sitting on my palm. Merry on the other hand likes to hiss a little when I take him out and then settles down no probs. Both of them have eaten three times for me and they have a really glossy skin tone :D

I wonder the same, mine is so easy going and relaxed, he seems right at home when I am handling him. Even in the store he was the same way.

IMO I think its up to the individual snake. Some of them need a lot more time to adjust than others.

Err on the side of caution - exploratory behavior's going to surface - new people, new house, new enclosure, new smells, new movements constraints (or freedoms), et al - can be potentially unnerving and at very least they will want to get to know it better. At first being held doesn't differ much from being in a new enclosure - they are both equally foreign in terms of all the new aspects above. They can stress and consequently go off feeding - not always known as the most cooperative eaters - its better safe than sorry even though there are clearly exceptions to every rule.

All hail the wise Smulkin! By the way, ur avatar cracks me up totally :mrgreen:

MORE COWBELL!!!!!! LOL!!!

I paid $125CDN (~$90USD) for mine from a petshop, but they special ordered it from a local breeder for me. I probably could've gotten one cheaper buying directly from a breeder, but that petshop was very good to me when I was a youngster, treating unhealthy herps I got from other places for me and giving me countless hours of advice so I don't mind letting them make a little money off me. Not to mention, I got a healthy good feeder, so I'm satisfied with the deal.

chong_python: that's $175CDN, right? so only ~$130USD. And I don't think there's too many breeders in NF you could buy direct from so you would have otherwise had to pay for shipping.

At the end of the day, the long term costs of keeping a BP will far outweigh the initial purchase price. Still nice to save a few bucks though ;)

Welcome to the forum, DM1975! I hope we can see pictures of your new little guy soon!

hhw...that's a good point we should remember, that it's better to spend a few extra dollars to suppport a really good (rare!) pet store!

my first snake i broke this rule and she turned out fine. My second snake i didn't and he turned out fine too so i guess it's all up to you and if your willing to risk it.