My new ball python has arrived!

This is my new son, Saffron!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...67f091a88c.jpg
He was hatched on August 18th, 2018 (a bit older than I expected, but that’s not much of an issue), is eating adult mice, and weighs 170 grams. He is a super pastel.

So far he is very curious, hasn’t balled up at all, and is exploring his quarantine enclosure.

Does he look alright? Does he seem like a good weight for his age?

He was ordered from XYZReptiles.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ab74bbe993.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...844409c67e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...85ee50029e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6d22fa1033.jpg


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Very nice snake!

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Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

Very nice snake!

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Thank you!


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His size/weight looks fine to me...and he's totally gorgeous! (as if you don't know, lol) I think you made a good choice, & getting one that's well-started
(like he is, from 2018) is a plus, not a minus, IMO. :sweeet:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

His size/weight looks fine to me...and he's totally gorgeous! (as if you don't know, lol) I think you made a good choice, & getting one that's well-started
(like he is, from 2018) is a plus, not a minus, IMO. :sweeet:

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Thank you so much! And since this is my first snake, I’m definitely glad it’s a bit older. Can’t wait to watch him grow!


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Originally Posted by TechnoCheese

Thank you so much! And since this is my first snake, I’m definitely glad it’s a bit older. Can’t wait to watch him grow!


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ESPECIALLY for your first snake, you chose well, as far as I can tell. But do check him thoroughly & repeatedly for mites in the cage or on him, just in case.

Keep his cage on the "sparce" side (on white paper towels for substrate, no plants- fake or otherwise, & no wood decor that mites can hide in for a while to be safe).

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

ESPECIALLY for your first snake, you chose well, as far as I can tell. But do check him thoroughly & repeatedly for mites in the cage or on him, just in case.

Keep his cage on the "sparce" side (on white paper towels for substrate, no plants- fake or otherwise, & no wood decor that mites can hide in for a while to be safe).

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Thank you!


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Your noodle looks great. Love the pattern! Congrats

He looks awesome. Very healthy and handsome.

I don’t know how I’m going to survive without handling this boy! I was originally planning on waiting for 3 successful meals to handle, but would a little more than a week suffice?


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Originally Posted by TechnoCheese

I don’t know how I’m going to survive without handling this boy! I was originally planning on waiting for 3 successful meals to handle, but would a little more than a week suffice?


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Don't do it...you might get away with it, but think of all the hassle if you don't. ("Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?")
How pretty will he look when he's refusing to eat? :rolleyes: Be patient, do it right the first time.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Don't do it...you might get away with it, but think of all the hassle if you don't. ("Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?")
How pretty will he look when he's refusing to eat? :rolleyes: Be patient, do it right the first time.

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Lol, thank you!


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I know it's tempting, but look, don't touch. (watching is fun too)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I know it's tempting, but look, don't touch. (watching is fun too)

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Definitely ;)


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Is it alright to quickly take him out to weigh him and then put him back once a week? Or should I not interact with him at all and just wait?


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Originally Posted by TechnoCheese

Is it alright to quickly take him out to weigh him and then put him back once a week? Or should I not interact with him at all and just wait?


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You're really grasping for an excuse to pick him up...his weight won't change appreciably in a week or a month...leave him alone, don't pick up. Doing it quickly or
slowly is stressful for him...you are (to him) a predator, OK? And dealing with a predator can interfere with his appetite. Hopefully you've never been under attack
& held hostage, but try to imagine if you were...do you think your appetite might suffer? :yes: The time to weigh him was immediately when you unpacked him or
first brought him home (I don't recall if he was shipped to you or not). Now that he's settling in, he needs to feel safe, so he'll be ready for food...and eating on a
regular basis helps his immune system to function optimally. You don't want a sick or non-feeding ball python do you? Best not to take chances...wait!!! :snake:

Saffron is a real stunner! That contrast is amazing and he looks very healthy and striking. Congrats!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You're really grasping for an excuse to pick him up...his weight won't change appreciably in a week or a month...leave him alone, don't pick up. Doing it quickly or
slowly is stressful for him...you are (to him) a predator, OK? And dealing with a predator can interfere with his appetite. Hopefully you've never been under attack
& held hostage, but try to imagine if you were...do you think your appetite might suffer? :yes: The time to weigh him was immediately when you unpacked him or
first brought him home (I don't recall if he was shipped to you or not). Now that he's settling in, he needs to feel safe, so he'll be ready for food...and eating on a
regular basis helps his immune system to function optimally. You don't want a sick or non-feeding ball python do you? Best not to take chances...wait!!! :snake:

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I’m sorry, I swear I just wanted to keep a regular weighing schedule![emoji23]
I guess I’ll stick to weighing once a month ;)
(And don’t worry; I weighed him right when I unboxed him and quickly put him into his enclosure)


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Originally Posted by Luvyna

Saffron is a real stunner! That contrast is amazing and he looks very healthy and striking. Congrats!

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Thank you!


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Originally Posted by TechnoCheese

I’m sorry, I swear I just wanted to keep a regular weighing schedule![emoji23].....

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Just post this on his cage: :colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert ::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colber t::colbert::colbert: ...........................:rofl:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Just post this on his cage: :colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert ::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colbert::colber t::colbert::colbert: ...........................:rofl:

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Lol!


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I was planning on feeding him his first meal tomorrow night. Is that too soon? Figured I’d ask before I start thawing a mouse, lol


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He took the mouse! I didn’t think he was going to because he stopped showing interest when I heated it up and did the “zombie dance”, but when I gave up and left it in the cage and made it nice and dark for him, it was gone when I got back home. Just wish I was there to see it, but oh well lol


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He just had his third successful feeding! Can’t wait to handle him in a few days. Struck as soon as I lowered the mouse in, lol


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