The issue with handling a new royal is that many ball pythons will begin to fast when stressed. Although your ball python may appear to be "fine" with your handling sessions, you really have no idea what's going on in that little bee-bee sized brain of his .... He could take his next meal or two just fine and then all of a sudden flat out refuse everything for 8 months ... and you will know exactly why.

For a timid small snake like a ball python, moving into a new home with different temps, humidity, and routines is a pretty big thing to get use to. Handling by a large being that your snake is not familiar with only makes things more stressful.

All that said, some ball pythons just "deal with it" and eat and adjust fine. Many people would just rather be safe than worry over a prolonged fast.

If you don't have a copy already, get your hands on "The Ball Python Manual" ... it's available for under $10 on Amazon.com and is a great starting point for ball python info.

-adam