I'm New!

So I'm COMPLETELY new at everything with reptiles but just got my first ball python about 5 days ago! I have everything set up, and have been loving it so much. I just tried to feed him today and he didn't take it, but thats probably becuase the place where i got him from did live, and i live in college station, tx and no one has live feeders, SO, i am still working on that. Also, has anyone ever been bitten by one? I'm still a little nervous handling him, and just need some reassurance that he isn't going to attack me! :) anyways, i'm so excited and would love your opinions! Thanks so much!!!

WELCOME to the site! Theres so much awesome info on here that will help if if you just chose to listen to people and read as much as possible. Also i would suggest that you leave your ball python to settle in completely for a week before handeling or trying to feed. As for being bit i haven't yet, but i wouldnt worry about it i heard it doesn't hurt much at all also ball pythons are pretty sweet and calm. Just be confident with your snake and its less likely to pick up on you being nervous.
Also be sure to post pictures! :)

:welcome:

Welcome to BP.net

I have had my fair share of Ball Python bites and trust me, I would much rather get bit by a ball than get bit by a rodent. Its really not that bad, I think the shock of the fact that you actually got bit is worse than the bite.

Anyway, Nice to meet you!!
Kristy

Welcome!!

You should post some pictures of your ball and setup.

Welcome:D I agree that you need to let the new one settle in for atleast a week if not 2. Can't wait to see pics of your baby!

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Originally Posted by Kristy

I would much rather get bit by a ball than get bit by a rodent. Its really not that bad, I think the shock of the fact that you actually got bit is worse than the bite.

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My BP bit me during the second time I fed him. He bit and released WAY before I could even flinch. 3 little pin pricks. No biggie. My 10 year old son got bit when we were looking for BP's at the Herp show. He never even reacted.

The little ones are no big deal. I saw a video of a guy who got bit on the side of the face by a much larger snake and it didn't release. He stupidly put the snake right in his face. He had to find a spatula and push the upper jaw upward to get free. He bled alot.

Welcome to the site. Ill just reinforce what everyone else has basically said. These guys can be picky so listening and reading around on this site is definately a big help in having a healthy snake. I owe all my early success to the people of this site, otherwise I know my snake would be getting the wrong care as there is a lot of wrong info out there from people who do not specialize in these particular snakes. I would definately look around and pick up all the information you can as its pretty important stuff to get your BP settled. Main thing ill leave with is just be patient, dont rush anything. When they say leave it be for a week or 2 its really whats best in the long run, These guys have a long lifespan, so whats a week or 2 at the beginning to assure his longterm security? Welcome :salute:

Thanks so much for all of your guidance!!! i have been playing with him at least once a day for the whole 5 days i have had him, and he doesn't seem to mind, he crawls all around my arm and everything. Do you think i should stop for a while? Thanks so much! i'm so excited and ya'll are helping out a lot!! and i guess i am not scared to get bitten anymore! :)

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Originally Posted by sp1133

Thanks so much for all of your guidance!!! i have been playing with him at least once a day for the whole 5 days i have had him, and he doesn't seem to mind, he crawls all around my arm and everything. Do you think i should stop for a while? Thanks so much! i'm so excited and ya'll are helping out a lot!! and i guess i am not scared to get bitten anymore! :)

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If he's eating for you then you dont have to really worry, myself I let him settle in for a week, fed him. Then the next week I just did two 15 minute handling sessions. Now I usually hold him about 3 times a week or so, never really going over 15-30 minutes.

when you do get him to eat, don't touch him for about 2 days or so, or he will/could regurgitate his meal, just a fyi

ok, ya, i wont touch him for a while after he eats. I guess i will wait until Thursday when i try and feed him again to take him out and handle him just to put him in a seperate place to feed him, and then once he has eaten, i will take you up on the suggestions and do different handling times per week. Also, when do you know to increase the amount of food i am giving him? Thats if i can even get him to eat!

oh ya, and he pooped! good sign right? it was big!!!

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Originally Posted by sp1133

oh ya, and he pooped! good sign right? it was big!!!

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Lmao, I think he'll deff. be a lil hungrier :D

from what ive heard, putting them in a diff tank to eat because they will bite you in their own cage is a myth, i guess whatever blows your hair back though, give us some info, what size is he? what ae you trying to feed him, etc, everything is in the details, another suggestion if you can't get him to eat, try feeding at night, they love to hunt at night if your feeding live

I personally didnt handle mine for 2 straight weeks until he ate for me. Get the husbandry down pat and i would suggest not handling until he does eat. Just because he "seems" fine doesnt mean he is. Since he is new I would judge fine on if he eats for you, but thats just me.

Welcome to BPNet and to the world of being owned by your ball python. :)

If you could describe your setup for the snake and a little about how big it is and it's feeding history that might help with some suggestions about getting it eating. It's suggested you leave the snake completely alone other than basic cage maintenance until it's eaten at least 2 or 3 times for you. You have about 20 years or more with this snake, so this settling in period as hard as it is to leave them be, it really is very worthwhile.

Ball pythons are by their very nature shy, nocturnal snakes. They can be gently handled but overhandling can lead to stress and stress is often expressed in a reluctance to eat. Feeding f/t is a learned response as they are naturally live prey eaters. They are also ambush hunters so feeding them in their home enclosure where they feel most secure, have their hides to use as "cover"...often helps a snake be a confident, aggressive feeder.

Refusing to eat really isn't a problem, it's usually a symptom of a problem. Things like overhandling, snake is not settled in well, husbandry is off, snake is ill, prey is a type the snake does not recognize, method of feeding is not the one the snake is used to....that sort of thing.

Did your snake pass a feces or a urate? Sometimes new keepers confuse that.