New to Ball Pythons

[BPmedusa]

So my son has been asking for a ball python for two years. After much hesitation i started researching ball pythons and now find that i have been bit by the ball python bug. So i purchased my son a normal female about two months ago. My question is this: Is there such a thing as handling a ball python too much? His snake is very calm. Eats great and so far no problems. He loves the snake and I do too and want to handle it often. The snake is a 2010.

[Emilio]

Welcome aboard and congrats on getting your first ball python. You can safely handle your bp 36 to 48 hours after feeding her. Anything before that and you risk a regurgitation.

[cschneider]

Yes, make sure you don't handle for 48 hours after being fed, but other than that, as long as they seem happy and healthy and still eating every week, I would say it's probably ok, but I only handle mine a few times a week for about 10-15 minutes. Ball pythons don't tend to like being handled, they just tolerate it much better than most other species of snakes. That's not to say yours doesn't though. I find it amazing how different all of my BPs are in personality. Some definitely seem to like being held compared to others. Congrats and welcome to the addiction lol!

[Tim Personguy]

hi im also new and this is kinda off topic, but i had a quick question. My ball python just sits on top of his hide in the cool part of the enclosure. Is this normal? Because I was wondering maybe he will get too cold or something. Oh and I also heat the enclosure with a overhead infrared light.
Thanks in advance
-Tim

[A.VinczeBPs]

Your question should be posted elsewhere, and there are lots of info and caresheets.
How big is the enclosure? Get rid of the infrared light, and get an under tank heater. What are your temps? Humidity?

To the OP: Welcome!! You can't stop at just one!

[BPelizabeth]

Um...your ball is probably too cold. Read the care sheet and then go to BP husbandry and post your tank set up. You will get lots of responses.

As far as handling....48 hours is right....no touchey touchey after feeding. Other than that just see how the snake does. Most tolerate handling but I have to say I have a couple that think they should be out all the time and enjoy watching movies and laying on me and my hubby.

If the snake is really restless and on the go...it probably wants back in the cage. If not then handle away.

Careful I too got into this because my son wanted a BP....now 25 reptiles later....lol

[mommanessy247]

bpmedusa - i only handle my bp for 15-20 minutes 2 x's per week and not during the 48 hours after a meal or during shed. every so often i'll have to remove her from the cage to do some cleaning.

[Xan Powers]

Your question should be posted elsewhere, and there are lots of info and caresheets.
How big is the enclosure? Get rid of the infrared light, and get an under tank heater. What are your temps? Humidity?

To the OP: Welcome!! You can't stop at just one!

I'd say a top tank heater is better in my opinion. I had used a heat mat for about 4 years then picked up a bigger terrarium and used two ceramic bulbs on the hot side that were in a mount above the tank. but now I'm on a rack system so back to flexwatt but if I ever wanted to have a showroom for my snake like j did when I was younger I'd go ceramics.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Xan Powers!

[Tim Personguy]

Thank-you to everyone that responded! You guys helped and I'm sure the guys in husbandry will help too!

[shorty54]

I only have 4 BP's. 3 are Juvi's, so they get handled about 30 minutes a night. Not during shed or a day after feeding. We have a adopted older BP that is around my sons neck or in his lap for hours a day. I'd say as long as they're still eating. Then you're not stressing the snake.