adopted a ball python new here a bit scared

[angllady2]

A lot has gone on here since I've been gone, but I think I'm up to speed so far.

First of all, congratulations on your new snake. They do take some effort at care and getting used to, but they are worth it to me.

You have definitely been taking steps in the right direction with care, and I applaud you for that. If you spend a little time reading the "stickies" at the top of each forum page here, you'll find a lot of useful information, I know it really helped me when I didn't know anything. I would recommend going to Wa-lMart and spending the 10-12 dollars on an Accurite digital thermometer/hygrometer. Those dial things the pet shops sell you are useless. I've seen them be off temperature by 20 degrees!

The Accurite will come with a little wire attached to it, you want to put the little knob on the end of that wire right on the glass tank bottom right where the heat pad is underneath. That is the only way you will know if the heat pad is hot enough/too hot.

Another thing, yes it is hard to hear that your snake doesn't love you or even want to be held by you. It really kind of de-flates your ego. But you know what? I love mine anyway. I have nine pet snakes right now, and each and every one has it's own personality. I hold mine for 10 or 15 minutes at a time once or twice a week. They don't mind the attention from me, and I can indulge my fantasy that they love me. Sure, cats and dogs and ferrets, and even rats show more affection, but that doesn't bother me. I actually have all these things as pets, and I still wouldn't give up my snakes. They are very calming and soothing to me, and they are good for my high blood pressure as well, so you could say they are a medical necessity for me.

Try not to let it get you down. Snakes are amazing animals, and they deserve a special place in your heart, even if it's not quite the place you hoped for.

For now, as hard as it is, try to let your new baby have several days to a week of peace and quiet. Just do your adoring from afar. Then, in about a week, try and get him to eat for you. If he does, that's a very good thing! Once he has eaten his first meal for you, give him about 48 hours to digest, so you don't give him an upset tummy, and then you can try holding him for a little while. It is going to take a lot of effort and patience on your part, if you are anything like me, NOT holding him will be just about the hardest thing there is, but it really is for his own good.

Once he has time to settle into his new home and has eaten for you a few times, I don't think taking him out for 15 minutes at a time, even if it's most days except right after he has eaten will hurt anything. The best way to know if you are overdoing it is, he'll stop eating. If he does, ease up on the handling a little, if he eats good, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Gale