New Owner

[Kaorte]

so, basically what your saying is, that i shouldnt hold him? what exactly are we getting towards here?

A new snake should be left alone until it is feeding on a regular basis. Most people will say wait one week with no handling, then offer food. If it takes, then don't handle for 48 hours to let it digest. Then you can handle all you want except for after feedings.

If you over handle your snake you can stress it out causing it to go off feed. I know its hard not to handle a new snake, I have been there, but you really need to keep the snakes well being in mind. Chances are he will tolerate being handled and eat just fine. You have to keep in mind that there is a difference between tolerating handling and liking handling. I believe that this particular animal does not benefit from handling, so it should be limited to a few times a week for short 10-20 minute sessions. Then again, it is easy for me to say since I have 5 ball pythons and I can alternate which one I take out to reduce "stress".

Most new owners are under the impression that their snakes "like" being handled because they are reluctant to go back into their enclosures or they come right out when you come in the room or open the lid. If we think about this in a social way then yes, it would look like they are exhibiting social behavior. But these animals are not social and therefor do not crave attention.

I don't really know why I am going off on this tangent since more often than not, handling a ball python does not result in food refusal. It just bothers me a bit when people think their new snake loves being handled, because they honestly don't.