Handling a year old bp?

[pinkspore]

I have just acquired (finally!) a 1 year old ball python from a friend's daughter who had a baby recently. The snake was handled extensively as a baby, but hasn't been at all in the last few months. Upon being touched he/she immediately curls up into the typical ball.

Should I leave the snake alone for a few days before trying to handle him? I'd like to redo his tank, but preferably without stressing him too much. Should I approach handling him like I would a baby, a few minutes every day or two until he gets used to it?

[jessie_k_pythons]

If you just got him, leave him be for a few weeks to get ajusted to his new home. try feeding him after the few weeks. (helps in stoping regurge from stress) after the first feeding wait a while befor you hold him for the first time. a few days should be enough time.

Im no expert so dont take my word for it. Let's see what every one else has to say on the subject.

[sweety314]

Any time you get a new snake, you should leave him alone for a week---only interact w/it in order to change water or clean bedding. After a week try a feeding. After ANY feeding, wait a MIN. of 48 hrs before handling (to prevent regure problems).


As for the handling, start slow. Only 5-10 min once or twice a week. As he calms down after that little bit, GRADUALLY extend the handling, but like others here will tell you, snakes aren't petables like cats and dogs. They're solitary critters and aren't created to be petted and handled a lot. And IF the snake stops eating, (as long as the temps, humidity, number of hides, etc. are all correct) stop the handling until the snake eats consistantly for you again. ANY sort of stress will cause the BP to stop eating for you.

Good luck, and BEWARE! Balls are ADDICTIVE!!!

[kavmon]

check out the caresheet on this site, get the setup correct first. correct temps and hides,double check everything. almost all bp's will tolerate handling (almost) there are exceptions to everything.



vaughn

[JLC]

Welcome aboard! : Glad you found your way here!

There's already been some good advice about leaving the snake alone to allow it to settle in and get used to a new home (even if its in the same set-up it was before, your home probably smells and looks different).

About changing the cage itself. After reading the caresheet, IF the cage needs to be changed in order to provide a proper, healthy environment....I would go ahead and do so right away...and whenever you get it finished, THEN start your week-long countdown of letting the snake settle in.

If it is purely a matter of personal taste and you want the cage "more decorative" or more "easily maintained" or whatever....then I'd wait awhile...like a month or two of successful feedings to make sure the snake is good and used to you and your routine. Then try a new home...and give the snake another week-long settling in period afterwards.

[frankykeno]

You've gotten excellent advice so far, especially about checking our BP caresheet and making sure your setup and husbandry are what they should be. All I'll add is once the snake is all settled in, eating, pooping, shedding, etc. and you've started short handling periods...just learn to "read" your snake. Be really observant and respectful of your snakes limits. Some days handling will be fine, other days for no apparent reason your snake won't react as well...they just aren't like other pets that need handling so consider it a gift and you'll do fine.

[pinkspore]

Thanks everyone! I've definetely gotten some great advice here. I do want to make the cage more decorative, but it also desperately needs to be cleaned and has some other issues as well. Poor guy outgrew his hides, needs a new substrate, and his lamp just broke (cat) hence the rather sudden rehoming. Poor lady just had her hands full with the baby and didn't have the time or money to care for him properly anymore.

He came from knowledgable herpers too, so let that be a lesson. Don't go having babies.

I think I'll wait to do all the cleaning/redecorating until I have everything I need, and then do it all at once so he can relax afterwards.

[Razaiel]

Hi and welcome You will get great advice from all the people here - they've been here a lot longer than I when I came here when I got my new baby and they gave me so much invaluable advice - it's the first place I turn. Mine's a year old now and she loves being out.