New guy with some questions

[Monster Dodge]

First great website! I have been lurking for quite some time reading and such. I have kept a handful of Balls (Normals) over the years. I am at that point in my life where I would like to try breeding and creating morphs as I now own my own home and have room and funds for doing what I want my way. This is mainly for me, not sell. I mean I would sell or trade but its not my main priority.

I want to start off with 4-6 young females and let them grow and do there thing for a couple years. Then bring in the males when its time to breed.

My question is for you guys/gals who have big collections (5 or more). As a ball pet owner I would handle them like a pet and such because I kept him in an aquairum. Now when keeping them in a tub/rack setup how often do you handle them? Do you take them out every so often and let them do there curious explore thing, or do they basically just stay in there tubs and come out for feeding/cleaning and thats it?


Also, I have looked at alot of the DIY rack setups with tubs and some I cant tell from the pics but are you keeping lids on them or because there so close to the top of the shelf theres no need?

[FatBoy]

I think naturally the more animals you have the less you handle them. My animals get handled once per week, during cleaning time. Males also get handled when pairing with their females. I currently have about 125 ball pythons to care for. The less you have the more time you can devote individually. As to the tub question, building your own racks is the way to go. You can build it to suit your needs. Most build rack to use tubs without the tops, although I have saw people build them to use tops on, just a personal preferene. Personally I like to go topless!!!

[Monster Dodge]

Perfect explanation. Thank you

[darkbloodwyvern]

hey! I've got a smaller collection for breeding, about 6 (some I'm not actually planning on breeding). They get handled once or twice a week, or more when I have time. Building racks sounds much cheaper and if you have any skills with building stuff, really easy! It's just a matter of having the time since it is usually way cheaper! My snake loving friends tend to come over and play with the snakes, so they probably get better handling some weeks

[geekypythongirl]

Welcome to the site!

I have 9 BP's and my husband has a lot of other assorted snakes. I'll be honest with you, I don't handle everyone all the time. They all get handled at least 2 times a week, for cleaning and to handle them once aside from that a week. I TRY to get in more handling time, but I literally work 24/7, AND I have a 2 yr old, plus I actually need to sleep sometimes, so its not always as frequently as I'd like.

There are some that I handle more frequently (my first BP girl I handle all the time, because she's got a special place in my heart). All but 2 of my BP's are in racks (one is just too small and has been a runt since I got him, and I like to keep a special eye on him, and one is my first (spoiled) girl), and really I don't think it makes a difference in how much I handle them.

If you want a rack, unless you absolutely cannot build something yourself, I would highly suggest doing so. I know if it were just me on my own, I would have to buy something (seriously I am like the WORST fix it up person ever), but my husband builds whatever I want him to (read - whatever I say PLEASE DO THIS). Pre-built ones are REALLY expensive, and often I hear people complaining they can no longer find the correct tubs or the correct size of tubs. I prefer to keep my tops on, but I know a lot of people do topless.

[stratus_020202]

I have 10 I handle mine as much as I can. I try to pay more attention to the little ones. It seems though they can start off cranky, and calm down. But, I've never seen an extrememly calm snake get cranky from lack of handling. I handle more in the summer time though. I take them on pet store runs (I trust my local pet store with my life). It's a lot of fun teaching about snakes, and mine are all super sweet.

To put a number on it, little ones are probably handled 2-3 times a week. Big ones, not so much. Maybe once or twice a week. I think it's awesome that my 3 yr old neice would rather play with the snakes, than my kittens. I love it! So, I have some I handle all the time to keep them used to it for her.

[jbean7916]

I have 5 right now, and only 2 are in the rack and i'll have to admit they get handled more than the ones in the aquariums. I think because it's just that much easier to slide the tub out and pick them up. Plus my 2 tub dwellers don't care for hides so i don't have to worry about that either. Once I get everyone moved over I'm sure the handling of the others will increase as well. If you're gonna go with multiples, go with a rack!!! We built a 4 shelf one for about $200 including heat and thermostat (and we had leftover wood)

[Big Gunns]

I think naturally the more animals you have the less you handle them. My animals get handled once per week, during cleaning time. Males also get handled when pairing with their females. I currently have about 125 ball pythons to care for. The less you have the more time you can devote individually. As to the tub question, building your own racks is the way to go. You can build it to suit your needs. Most build rack to use tubs without the tops, although I have saw people build them to use tops on, just a personal preferene. Personally I like to go topless!!!

That's a site BG doesn't want to see for himself.

BG does concur with NC Fats statements.

[shescountry89]

Personally I like to go topless!!!

Hahaha ! That's awesome.

Anyways. I currently have 6 ball pythons, and a big boa. I handle mine whenever I clean, and since I am feeding every 3 days to get my males up to size I handle them a hour or so before feeding that night. They all get attention quite often, but everyone is different.

[ace_singapore]

I handle my young ones (less than six month old) more often, say 2-3 times a week, to get them used to human touch and they will stay very tamed well into adulthood. I have got one female which I got her as a sub-adult, she is always in alert and will attack when I open her tub. I try to hanle her daily, with caution everytime.