Picking up my snake

[Sissys-mom]

Hi all. Sorry to be taking advantage of your knowledge again so soon, but I have a bit of a delimma. My ball had been handled alot in the store where I got her, almost every day. She was very relaxed and quickly adventurous after being picked up when I first brought her home. Well, I've left her alone for the past 3 or 4 days, first to prepare for eating, and then because I was worried when she didn't eat. Tonight I picked her up and had my fiancé hold her while I was making adjustments to the cage. She stayed in a ball, and was jumpy. Did I go to long without handling her?
On a side question, is it ok to pick up her hide to pick her up? Or should I only pick her up when she's out? Snake hook or no?

[JaGv]

no you didn't go to long without handling you snake it is normal for them to stay balled up and be jumpy but after a couple minutes out they will calm down and slither around. as for the hide i used to lift it up gently and slowly take the snake out.

[Mike41793]

I would minimize handling except for cage cleaning/maintenance for the first few weeks until she has eaten a few times for you. What you did to take her out to clean is fine. Absolutely lift her hide up and no a snake hook isnt necessary. If youre worried that she'll bite you then where a glove on ome hand and before you pick her up rub her back or put your whole hand right over her. Youll be able to see that even when you do that she'd much rather ball up than bite. Once youre comfortable with seeing that she doesnt react aggresively then just reach in and pick her up with the none glove hand. Im not saying to do that, bc i think its uneeded, but if you or your fiance are really uncomfortable getting her out of the cage then use that method. If youre nervous she will probably pickup on your more jerky, quick movememts and its gunna stress her out more too.

[DooLittle]

No, you did not go too long without handling. If anything, to soon. Try to keep handling down to bare minimum until she has eaten a few times. It can take them a few weeks to settle in. After she has settled in and eaten, then you can start with maybe 5 minute handling sessions, gradually working up from there. Imo, a snake hook is not necessary . Also, you said she didn't eat, what, where, and how were you feeding her? Maybe we can help with that as well. And what are you temps, and housing/hides like? Any of that stuff out of whack, let alone a new environment can put them off feed. Try not to re-arrange, or change anything in her tank/tub as that can be change enough to disrupt them. Congrats on your bp, and hope we can answer your questions for you.

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[Kaorte]

They are called ball pythons for a reason Completely normal! The little ones are usually pretty scared but it shouldn't impact their overall behavior when handled. As others have said, keep the handling to a minimum for the first few weeks. She will thank you for it.

Taking of the hide to get to the snake is perfectly acceptable. Don't worry about "disturbing" them or anything. It isn't like they have busy schedules!

[OmNomNom]

I dunno if this is normal for BPs but she might not recognize your fiance.

Shen is a total droop when I pick him up, and will only very lazily coil around my arm or neck no matter how much I hold him. He's never balled up on me. However, if I give him to my friends, even the one who used to have several boas and retics, he immediately balls up and refuses to uncoil. The most you'll ever see of him is the tip of his nose.

Do ball pythons need to be "socialized"?