Proud New Owner

[nsadcock]

Hello everyone! My boyfriend and I are proud new owners of a ball python. We purchased her yesterday. I have many questions as I have never liked snakes but saw this one and fell in love. I think from what I have read on the internet that its a female. We already found out this morning that she is an excape artist. lol Thank goodness my boyfriend knew the right place to look for her, under 2 feather quilts. My question for the moment is this....I have just gotten use to petting her. I want to hold her so bad but am worried about her sensing how nervous I am too. I dont want to make her nervous too. Should I just do it and get it over with or like start with just holding her tail??? Sorry this maybe a stupid question but I want to do this the right way. I would love to one day be able to hold her around my neck and not freak.

[Vilenica]

How old/large is she?

[Jason Bowden]

Take it slow.
Let her settle in and get used to the new home.
Welcome to this forum! Everyone will be happy to help with any questions.
There are care sheets for various reptiles in the care sheet section.

[Vilenica]

Your right J sorry. And Welcome to BP.net

[journeyoftheanimals]

Welcome to the forum nsadcock, and the wonderful world of ball pythons.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Welcome to the forums. Read the BP care sheet on here to be sure you guys have the proper set-up for it. Give it a week or so to settle in. Never handle for 2 to 3 days after feeding. They do not like their tail being messed with and this might make your BP jumpy. Just reach in towards an area of its body behind and away from its head. Dont reach in going directly to its face. Touch its body and then quickly scoop it up. Once in your hands the bp will begin to relax and move around. You shouldnt get bitten if you do it this way. They are not like some other snakes and will not react to your nervousness unless you are jerky with it. They are usually head shy as well and will jerk if you touch the head.

Just scoop it up and dont be afraid. You will be amazed at how fast you learn to do this and you will not have to worry about a thing

[Kysenia]

Grats on the new addition check the help sheets and care sheets, should have all you need to know

[nsadcock]

Thanks so much!! I have so much to learn and am so ready to be relaxed with her. The lady at the pet shop told us we needed a heat rock in with her. I just read not to put one in. She also said she needs the rock for when she eats. I do not want anything in with her if this is gonna bring harm to her

[nsadcock]

I have no clue how old she is. My boyfriend said she is about 2 ft long. Is there a way to tell about how old she maybe???

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

No way! No heat rock at all. Very bad.
They need belly heat and they get this by using an under tank heater. Or UTH as we call it. You will need to get a thermostat to control the UTH. They can get too hot so a thermostat is required. A digital thermometer/hygrometer to read the temperature and humidity levels is required to monitor everything.