hi

[blazed]

today i just bought my 1st ball python and i was wondering when can i start holding him. i heard that he has to be in his tank for atleast a week before i start picking him up and holding him.

[steveboos]

That is correct, only handle him when absolutely necessary when you clean for the first week. Then you can handle him depending on feedings and shedding cycles.

[BPelizabeth]

Hi and welcome...its an obsession!! Leave him be for a week to aclimate to his new home. It is truly the hardest thing you will have to do. Also when you feed him give him about 48 hours to digest prior to handling.

I also wanted to let you know that there is an excellent Care Sheet on this site that answers so many questions. Tons of great information!!

Hope that helps!!

[blazed]

thanks for the help....i know im goin to get addicted. i think im already addicted. coz ive been looking for a female to mate already. what would be a good match for my normal.

[iCandiBallPythons]

I have to be the exception to that rule. I will say I try my best not to bother them but I feed on Tuesdays, so anything I have coming in I have it arrive on Tues., If it will feed that evening which (knock on wood) most of mine have, then I will handle very little here and there. If theyre still all wired up from shipping then I leave them be. Every BP is different.

[iCandiBallPythons]

thanks for the help....i know im goin to get addicted. i think im already addicted. coz ive been looking for a female to mate already. what would be a good match for my normal.

Honestly I would not breed a normal BP male. If you have interest in breeding, maybe pick up a couple of the relatively inexpensive morphs maybe a femal first,being that females take around 24 months before theyre ready, will give you time to learn about these awesome animals, then decide if you still want to breed.

[jjmitchell]

Honestly.. I have best results not handeling my animals untill they eat 2 meals from me. But thats what i see works the best. Getting a snake from a pet shop it is probably been socialized more so, a week is probably fine but most of my snakes make a long trip to make it to my house.