How often can you handle a ball.

[Trackstrong83]

As long as the BP is eating and overall is acting normal there is no hard limit. 5-10 minutes a day is fine. But if your BP stops eating, or is acting abnormal/stressed you should reduce/stop handleing the snake until things return to normal. Just follow the snakes lead

Yep. Each snake has its own personality, just try to feel out yours'. I do believe snakes can recognize who it is reaching into their cage and once they get used to you you can have them out a lot more often because they won't be threatened/worried about you.

[Mike41793]

I handle mine right away and shove a meal at them, I'm weird like that. When it stops working ill stop doing it.

x2 lol. Haven't had a problem yet.

[anwhit]

Thanks for all the above. My son handles everyday right now. We got him a week ago and handled for the first time on Saturday after ate Friday morning. He has been fine so far. We keep handling down to 5-10 minutes. Still makes me nervous when I see the snake getting near my sons face. He seems very tame. Are there any pre indicators a snake is going to bite or is in a grumpy mood? Besides not eating are there other indicators a snake is stressed?

You don't need to worry much about ball pythons. They're the most docile as snakes come, and even when the do bite, (from aggression), well, lets just say I heard that a scratch from a cat hurts more. It's also about your body language as well. If you're calm when you pick him up, then odds are you're not going to get bitten. If you're really that worried though, I suggest not handling during shed because more often than not they can get a little grumpy.

And also, for further reference, do not have your son handle the snake after he eats. It's best to wait 48 hours so he can digest it.

[Trackstrong83]

makes me nervous when I see the snake getting near my sons face. ?

No worries, I was afraid of that at first too
But now my ball python is almost 2 and if I lay her down on my bed with me she crawls over my face and I have zero worries, other than her fat butt pressing my glasses into my face lol

If it makes you feel more comfortable you could handle the snake while you're by yourself to feel out its personality. So you can take the factor of worrying about your son getting bitten out of the equation and really get a feel for the snake.

[Seanjackmc]

No worries, I was afraid of that at first too
But now my ball python is almost 2 and if I lay her down on my bed with me she crawls over my face and I have zero worries, other than her fat butt pressing my glasses into my face lol

If it makes you feel more comfortable you could handle the snake while you're by yourself to feel out its personality. So you can take the factor of worrying about your son getting bitten out of the equation and really get a feel for the snake.

Thanks I've been doing that a bit when I can. So far he seems so chill and placid. I don't seem him biting for no reason. He usually stays in a ball for a minute when we first get him out and slowy seems to get more comfortable and enjoys exploring around. He seems to love my sons face he is always moving towards it. Almost if to say hmmmm what does my owner look like, lol

[Old Sloppy]

You don't need to worry much about ball pythons. They're the most docile as snakes come, and even when the do bite, (from aggression), well, lets just say I heard that a scratch from a cat hurts more.

Yes, a cat scratch hurts more, but the BP bite bleeds a lot more.
Years ago ( first and last time I got bit) I came home from eating pizza, went to change her water bowl and she bit me. (the whole event lasted a 1/2 second )
So now I always wash my hands before reaching into her cage, I haven't been bit since.
Harry

[Old Sloppy]

Are there any pre indicators a snake is going to bite or is in a grumpy mood? Besides not eating are there other indicators a snake is stressed?

Here are some things I have observed;
If they "ball up" they are not happy,
If they hiss they are not happy,
if their toung is flicking around they are happy ( or simply "checking things out" ),
when their toung disappears (something is wrong) leave them alone.

Harry

[Seanjackmc]

Here are some things I have observed;
If they "ball up" they are not happy,
If they hiss they are not happy,
if their toung is flicking around they are happy ( or simply "checking things out" ),
when their toung disappears (something is wrong) leave them alone.

Harry

Thank I've learned that already, when my son takes him out he is in his ball then he see s to relax and start exploring. I think we have a good one.