just rescued 10 year old BP in poor condition please advise

[Xotik]

Ball pythons stress out a lot while being handled. Imagine being picked up by a really warm giant/tree type looking thing and dangled around by your feet. They typically do not run into many other animals in the wild and they like to hide and keep to themselves for the majority of the day.

Your ball python will be around for quite a long time, you need to let your daughters know that it takes discipline at first not to handle him. But its well worth it. Once he's fed 2 or 3 times, then I'd say it would be okay to handle him for 5-15 minutes a day, for the days he isnt digesting food or shedding. Slowly work your way up to an absolute maximum of about 1 hour per day. By leaving him alone, you are making him feel more secure in his new home. The longer you leave him alone, the more secure he will feel. All ball pythons take different amounts of time to acclimate to their environments, and the BEST way to be SURE that your ball python feels secure is if he has eaten 2-3 times in a row for you. I know it was hard for me too when I got my first ball python, but looking back now, Im glad I listened to all the advice that was given to me.

I totally agree with Matt here - handling during the first week or two can do more harm than good. and especially after feeding. Imagine eating a really large thanksgiving dinner and then having someone pick you up by your midsection when you're laying on your belly. Totally not comfortable idea right? It's like that every time for a BP that's just eaten. Also - when they are in shed their eyes go blue - the eyecaps turn a blueish hue and they can't see as well as they did - so they might be headshy and snappy. It is exceptionally beneficial for them if you leave them alone for around 48 hours after eating, and after they have shed.

Also - an active ball python is a stressed ball python. A happy BP is a hiding BP. I would definitely agree that making sure your daughter knows he will be far better off if she leaves him be for the first while. Not only is he a rescue that potentially could have a respiratory infection, but he is also somewhere new - new smells at the very least. The best thing is to let him hide.

[lili]

thanks matt, makes sense, he is just soooo sweet its hard to resist!

[SilverDemon]

There's a reason that ball pythons are so well loved. 99% of them are just as sweet as your new pet.

And let your daughter know that she'll have PLENTY of time with him, with proper care many ball pythons can live to be 30 or 40 years old.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Actually with his age I am sure he is use to being handled a lot.
The only reason I would leave him be for 5 to 7 days is because of the regurge.

The older ones tend to be more relaxed when handling just because they have been around longer to get use to it.
If you daughter likes this one, just wait till she sees all the pretty colors they come in

[SilverDemon]

If you daughter likes this one, just wait till she sees all the pretty colors they come in

THIS. Oh my, just WAIT until she discovers morphs. She'll probably be talking your ear off and begging for another one.

It's an addictive, addictive bug, ball pythons.