Expectations of a New Ball Python Owner

[ckuhn003]

Well it's been a little over a month since my little boy arrived. I've gone through the 3 feeding acclimation process and tried to follow every piece of advice given on this wonderful site so what now? What's next?....... Viewing had been a little little tough because my enclosure is in the basement so it's not in a place that I pass by unless I purposely go down there and he's NEVER out during the day. I usually can catch a glimpse of him if I venture down into the basement about 9-10 at night but I never turn on his light as not to disturb him. I've been trying to hold him 2-3 times a week (5-10 min at a time) but I'm wondering if it's too much to hold him more and/or more then 1 time a day. Currently he's feeding on Thur nights but I'm thinking about switching it to Weds which will give me more time to hold him on Sat and Sun (due to the 48 hour no holding after feeding period). Curious on others interactions w/ their BP?

[GpBp]

I don't know if this helps but, what I did with Geno when I first got him was probably wrong.. lol. I held him twice the day I got him and I didn't really do that 1 week thing. It just seemed like he was already settled in! But nah, I defiantly should've given him time. So if you did that then good job I feed on Thursdays, and hold him on Sundays and Tuesdays. Just because he was stressed I've gone to that schedule. I think what your doing is good. I've had Geno for a little over 3 months now and he's already had his first shed with me. But if he seems fine with being out, I can go ahead and get him out Just don't push it.

[tttaylorrr]

hold him as long as you like whenever you like! just watch his body language so you know when he's had enough.

with my guys i always have them out when i watch tv. i set them on my blankets and they go through all the nooks and crannies until they've had enough. Yellow can be out for almost an hour, Spaghetti is closer to 20-30 minutes, and i'm still learning with Coffee Bean.

[Sunnieskys]

Ohh coffee bean...the killer danger noodle!

i take boople out at least once a week before feeding. My work schedule has been all over the place so this past month has been hard finding time to take her out.

[SDA]

My routine is feeding Saturday and Sunday. Ok feeding a snake over a period of 2 days is not recommended but that is the routine that my snake has adopted for the past few years and I accommodate him so please don't follow that advice because as a rule of thumb it's bad advice!

Then I let him rest for 2 days so he can digest and just have a break.

I then handle him out an about for about half an hour or so for 1-2 days depending on my schedule and how he is behaving (in hide or out roaming).

I generally try and avoid handling the day before feeding as he is pretty regular and will poop on Friday.

That's my routine and it doesn't impact my snake much at all.

[Ax01]

Expect to get bit at some point and then u can vote yes in this poll: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...en-bit-by-a-BP

[ckuhn003]

Expect to get bit at some point and then u can vote yes in this poll: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...en-bit-by-a-BP

Not funny....I'm gonna try and avoid this one as much as I can

[SDA]

Ball python bites are like getting gummed by a very angry baby.

[ckuhn003]

Just had my little man out for some exploratory time. First time that I allowed him to explore the floor. He was getting a little anxious sitting on the scale while I cleaned his cage so I put him on the floor. He explored for a good 15 minutes and then I sensed he might be getting a little nervous (raised up in a s curve looking at me) so I made my way behind him and scooped him back in the cage.







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[AbsoluteApril]

he's a very handsome fella!