Ok, I've got my first Ball Python and I've got a couple of questions.

I did quite a bit of lurking here before I got my snake. I'm very satisfied with my enclosure and the heating situation. My snake is a captive bred 3 year old male that I got from a hobby breeder. He's eating like a champ and has shed once.

On the downside, he bit me one of the first times I tried to handle him. So now I'm a little more timid than I wish I was when I try and handle him or move him.

I've just got a few questions. One, how often should I be handling him? Not to move him to clean the enclosure, but just to handle him and try and get him used to being handled?

And how often should I be cleaning the enclosure? Obviously if I see it needs cleaned, I will. But if the temps are good, he's got water and the enclosure looks clean, how often should I be taking out the hides and checking everything out? Is there a schedule you like to follow on cleaning out everything, and replacing the substrate? I'm using some unprinted newsprint and aspen.

And do you guys have any tips for taking him in and out of the enclosure and not getting bit? It seems like every time I have to take him out I'm afraid I'm going to get bit. Ugh.