Retrieving BP from hide... HELP!

[lpj6sc]

Hey everyone I purchased my first Ball Python 3 days ago. I'm waiting until next week to attempt to feed him and then a few days after that to handle him for the first time. The hide that he spends most of his time in is a log. I know most people have hides which they can just pick up off the top of the snake. Because it is a log, I'm wondering how I should go about removing him from the hide to handle him. Should I take the whole log out or just reach in and gently pull him out? Please be very specific, I'm a newbie Thank you so much.. and I love my precious little boy already. His name is Jaffar. <3

[JaGv]

i personaly tap the hide once so they dont get startled and jus lift the hide slowly

[sho220]

Step 1. Throw log in trash
Step 2. Get a plastic hide that he can't get stuck in
Step 3. Rinse, repeat

[lpj6sc]

Step 1. Throw log in trash
Step 2. Get a plastic hide that he can't get stuck in
Step 3. Rinse, repeat

Thank you so much for the quick response. Okay. So two plastic hides. Should I wait to change the hides after the first time handling him or should I just change them now and give him a few extra days to get used to them?!

[Slim]

Welcome to BP.net!

I'm going to be very specific and tell you how to do this:

1) Observe your BP's tank closely
2) As soon as you see your BP outside of the log, carefully remove the log, leaving the BP in the tank
3) Gently walk over to the nearest window or open door and throw that log as far away as you can
4) Order two of these to replace the log:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes
5) Live Happy Ever After

In all seriousness, the best kind of hide is one you can lift off your snake. You really don't want to use anything you'll have to pull your BP out of. It can lead to several bad things.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Welcome to BP.net!

I'm going to be very specific and tell you how to do this:

1) Observe your BP's tank closely
2) As soon as you see your BP outside of the log, carefully remove the log, leaving the BP in the tank
3) Gently walk over to the nearest window or open door and throw that log as far away as you can
4) Order two of these to replace the log:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes
5) Live Happy Ever After

In all seriousness, the best kind of hide is one you can lift off your snake. You really don't want to use anything you'll have to pull your BP out of. It can lead to several bad things.

This plus you shouldn't be handling your snake at this point. you should only handle your snake when absolutely necessary until he has eaten 3 meals in a row for you.

[sho220]

In all seriousness, the best kind of hide is one you can lift off your snake. You really don't want to use anything you'll have to pull your BP out of. It can lead to several bad things.

Also much easier to keep plastic hides clean. With the logs, people talk about using bleach to clean them, cooking them in ovens and all that stuff.

[sho220]

This plus you shouldn't be handling your snake at this point. you should only handle your snake when absolutely necessary until he has eaten 3 meals in a row for you.

I've never waited that long...that's overkill in my opinion...I've fed the same day I've taken snakes out of their shipping boxes and handled them a few days later with no problems...they're not as fragile as people make them out to be...and by "handle" I mean take them out and hold them for a bit...not take them for a walk in the park to play frisbee...

[The Serpent Merchant]

I've never waited that long...that's overkill in my opinion...I've fed the same day I've taken snakes out of their shipping boxes and handled them a few days later with no problems...they're not as fragile as people make them out to be...and by "handle" I mean take them out and hold them for a bit...not take them for a walk in the park to play frisbee...

ok, but he should at least wait until he get one meal in... yes some BP's can tolerate being handled, but some can't. The responsible thing is to wait especially if this is the OP's first BP.

[sho220]

ok, but he should at least wait until he get one meal in... yes some BP's can tolerate being handled, but some can't. The responsible thing is to wait especially if this is the OP's first BP.

Give it a few days, feed him, give it a few more days and they should be good to go. Waiting nearly a month (3 meals, once a week, plus a few days after the last meal) is overkill IMO, unless you're really doing some freaky stuff with your snake...