Can You over-handle a new ball python?

[RideRed12]

Alright, I got my new baby ball python a week ago tommorow. I left him alone for three days, fed him on friday. He took the mouse and ate fine. I started handling him 2 times a day yesterday and today. One time in the late morning for 10 to 15 min then whenever I get home at night if hes out and about in his cage. He still seems very very skiddish and nervous. Am I overhandling him?

As for a second problem, the humidity in my house has been 70 to 85 percent all week because I live in hot and humid Iowa, I dont have access to a dehumidifier yet and it stays 80 percent if not higher all the time. Should I be worried after only a week? Im working on getting a dehumidifier but its going to take me a day or two.

[Theartisticgemini]

Its best to handle a baby at the most under 30 mins a day. Within a couple of weeks he should tame down nicely. Then again every snake is different.

[llovelace]

It all depends on the snake, some tolerate handling better than others, so long as he eat well, and doesn't display stress behavior, you should be fine. As far as th humidity issue, do you have a tub or tank?

[RideRed12]

Currently hes in a tub, I have half of the lid with holes and tommorow I plan on putting holes in the actual tub. What are other stress behaviors?

[llovelace]

constantly roaming the tub, not using his hides, not eating. Once you put more holes in the tub, your humidity issue will be over, bee careful not to put too many holes in

[RideRed12]

I do find him roaming the tub at night quite a bit, during the day he sleeps all day undisturbed except when I handle him in the morning. Usually around 9pm or sunset ill catch him poking his head out of the hide. If I go in later like I did tonight and last night hes usually trying to get out of the top. I dont know if thats normal or not.

[PixieMaple]

Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised he took a mouse from you so soon after getting him! My full grown adult STILL hasn't eaten two months after getting him. His activity at night sounds normal. And young ones being skittish is normal... just keep a consistent handling schedule and he'll most likely mellow right out (although some snakes remain jumpy).

[RideRed12]

I was too I thought I may have a better chance if I kept up with his prior feeding schedule and sure enough it worked. I currently have him in my brothers room since hes off at college so he can go undisturbed. I'm so excited to get him outside while the weather will cooperate but ill have to wait until he is much more comfortable with me.

[PixieMaple]

Yeah definitely wait til he calms down. Don't want him getting spooked and "running off" (I'm assuming they can probably move pretty quickly when spooked)

[greg728]

My little guy was the same way. I was handling him every day once I got him, mainly b/c I was so excited about getting a new snake. I did start to notice stress signs though, and I cut his handling down to every other day/ every other two days. Now he seems to be just fine, but as others said before me - it depnds on the animal.

As far as the humidity goes - do you have a fan or A/C nearby? That could help with the humidity problems.