Preparing for first snake and had some questions.

So I will get my first ball python this upcoming Monday. My plan was to introduce him and let his get acclimated for the first week without handling at all. I would check his tub daily to make sure it’s clean, give water, spot clean but just let him be. I was thinking I would feed him the following wed. I would feed him whatever the breeder was feeding whether that be live, f/t, whatever and then was hoping to handle for the first time that weekend. Does all of this seem appropriate? He weighs roughly 100 grams so he is a little guy. I figured if I let him acclimate 10 days before feeding he should eat for me no problem. Any feedback would be appreciated.

I would feed him twice before handling. Wait 3 days after his last meal and take him out... for a short time (10 minutes). Be calm and move slowly. After the 10 minutes, put him back.

Are you getting a baby ball python?

Yes. He weighs about 100 grams.

Then you probably will be feeding him every 5-7 days and you want to handle him once or twice in between meals (once if you're feeding every 5 days). Remember not to over handle or he could go off feed.
Good luck! :gj:

I also agree with the two feeding. You have 30+ years with your snake so there really is no rush.

Okay, so two feedings before handling him. Can I wait 10 days before first feeding or should I do it earlier? I wanted to get him on a schedule and Wed evening works best for me..

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Originally Posted by Jmarshall

Okay, so two feedings before handling him. Can I wait 10 days before first feeding or should I do it earlier? I wanted to get him on a schedule and Wed evening works best for me..

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I'd say wait 10 days just so there's a better chance of him eating on your first attempt :)

Then every 5 or 7 days ..


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That’s what I was thinking. Thank you.

First off, welcome to the forum!

Yea, about 10 days before offering first feed will be a good idea. After that, I usually say try to make sure he has 2-3 successful feedings before starting the handling process. Do you have the cage, heating, etc in order yet? I usually try to get that stable a few days before receiving or transferring a snake.

You owe me pictures when he arrives!

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Originally Posted by Slicercrush

First off, welcome to the forum!

Yea, about 10 days before offering first feed will be a good idea. After that, I usually say try to make sure he has 2-3 successful feedings before starting the handling process. Do you have the cage, heating, etc in order yet? I usually try to get that stable a few days before receiving or transferring a snake.

You owe me pictures when he arrives!

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I will be getting tub set up tomorrow and holdin off to have him shipped u til Monday. I will take those 5 days to make sure everything is set ups while monitoring temps humidity. Have a single tub inside enclosed single rack (tgr rack)with thermostat and heat tape. Going to keep him in the freedom breeder 10 until he gets large enough to move to animal plastics t8. I’ve been doing A LOT of research on husbandry so I’ll be prepared when he gets here.

and I will make sure to post lots of pictures!

I personally advise new keepers to let their snake get three consecutive meals without refusal before handling. I know it seems like a long time, but big picture: you've got 25 years or more with the snake.

As for feeding, that's really up to you. If you want to feed on Wednesdays, I would try this Wed night. Can't hurt. Either the snake eats, or refuses. Either way, wait til the following Wed to offer again. Feed an appropriately sized prey item weekly and your snake will be fine. No need to rush their growth.

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Originally Posted by Jmarshall

I will be getting tub set up tomorrow and holdin off to have him shipped u til Monday. I will take those 5 days to make sure everything is set ups while monitoring temps humidity. Have a single tub inside enclosed single rack (tgr rack)with thermostat and heat tape. Going to keep him in the freedom breeder 10 until he gets large enough to move to animal plastics t8. I’ve been doing A LOT of research on husbandry so I’ll be prepared when he gets here.

and I will make sure to post lots of pictures!

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THIS ^ is so refreshing. Sadly, you're one of the few newbies we see around here who does it the right way. Props to you for your homework and preparedness - you will be rewarded with a wonderful new snake experience, I have no doubt!

Yah.. I think it’s irresponsible for anyone to take care of any animal unless it is done the right way. I do have another question. I believe he is on live and want to switch to F/T eventually. How many meals should I get in him before offering F/T. From what I’ve read my priority should be to get him eating so I was thinking live for the first month or so.

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Originally Posted by Jmarshall

Yah.. I think it’s irresponsible for anyone to take care of any animal unless it is done the right way. I do have another question. I believe he is on live and want to switch to F/T eventually. How many meals should I get in him before offering F/T. From what I’ve read my priority should be to get him eating so I was thinking live for the first month or so.

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It's generally conventional advice to offer whatever the snake was eating previously (live vs F/T, mouse vs. rat). However, it's definitely possible to get a BP transitioned to F/T right away.

We have 4 hatchling/juvenile BPs, all of which were on live at their breeders, but they all have taken F/T no problem. We lucked out and never even had to offer live. (Our young Dumeril's, who are notorious for being finicky, was also on live and switched to F/T right away.)

The way we're approaching it is to get F/T established before offering rats, since all our BPs were on mice when we got them. So far we've only changed one to rat pups, and she did great with the change. ��

There are a ton of good resources on this site for offering F/T, but generally what we do is: place feeder in Ziploc baggie and thaw in warm water; once thawed warm under heat lamp in snake room; blast nose with hair dryer before offering to snake on tongs. Works like a charm to the point where most of the snakes come out and wait for their turn.

Anyway, it's great that you're willing to offer live if needed, and I certainly have no judgement if you do go that route. Just wanted to say it's definitely possible to just get started with F/T right away, especially with the younger ones. :)

Awesome. Yah I would definitely go F/T for both my comfort and snakes safety but if I need to start on live I am willing to go that route. His last meal was a prekilled small adult mouse so hopefully he will make transition to FT easily. Should have his tub set up fully tomorrow so I can start to monitor temps. I’m getting excited!