First time ball python owner

[The Golem]

And what about regularly? Like how many times a day and for how long when nothings going on?

This question can only be answered by your snake.
Observe it, let it tell you when it's had enough handling. For the first 6 months I had him, it was maybe 10-15 minutes until he got antsy and I returned him to enclosure. 2-3 times per week. Usually at night (after 9 pm), with the room lighting low.

Last night I had my guy out for about an hour which was:
5-10 minutes in hands, until he was calm. Put him down on sofa for a few minutes while I misted the enclosure and then
10-15 minutes of 'The Royal (Ball) Treatment' - wiped him down with a moistened paper towel, and used a towel to dry him off afterwards. He was wrapped around one arm, not moving much so I think he enjoys this. Then, put him down on sofa for a few minutes while I tossed out the paper towel. (I'll try video recording this next time - maybe Sunday night).
20 minutes alternately handling/playing/letting him roam around on sofa and floor - and me. I had him around my neck a few times when needing to go from one room to another.

Then I noticed he was trying to pull away and get away from me with a little more effort/urgency, so it was time to return him to tank. The terrarium has sliding doors so I held him near the door and let him 'decide' to go back in at his own pace.

EDIT: but each snake/owner is different; some people handle their snake almost every day, others leave their pet alone and only take it out for feeding in a separate tub, showing to friends, or when cleaning the cage.

[Smitty33]

^^^^ This right here. Every snake will be a little different. Mine is very timid, to the point he's never hissed or struck as he appears to me anyway almost too afraid to do that. Thus I've kept my handling kind of minimum to maybe once a week. I go 2 days after a feeding and I don't handle him the day before I feed him so he's not stressed out on feeding day.
Saturday evening was the first time he actually came out of his hide when I was by his tank. He acted either hungry or just curious. I got him out for about 30-40 minutes and he was the best I've ever handled him. Even let my daughter hold him as he was very calm and relaxed. Sunday I got him out and put him in his holding tub while I cleaned his tank, maybe 45 minutes. Now whether it was this or a combination of having his tank "changed" on him also but he seemed pretty stressed. He crawled around maybe 20 minutes checking out his new clean tank and has been in his hide ever since.

[BWB]

I have my ball python out every day except for feeding and shedding times. She roams all over the house, up the carpeted stairs, on the radiators (when they are cool enough) and other areas. She is very calm and good about doing so and doesn't get into too much trouble (I watch around the sofa and rocking/recliner chair so she doesn't get out of reach). Some times I put her back in her enclosure and she will promptly turn around and come back out the door. I take my boa out with the same frequency but she is a bit more timid (still new to me and the house) and stays attached to my arm or close to me and doesn't venture too far away. I think that interacting is an important facet of ownership (if you want your snake to be a pet and not just for breeding) and working with them makes them so much easier to approach. My boa is a bit defensive about her enclosure/hide but is great once out so I'm working with her to ensure that she knows what I'm all about.

[Walkingdragon]

Thanks a bunch guys, if I ever get any more questions I'll be sure to post on here

[Skeletor]

And what about regularly? Like how many times a day and for how long when nothings going on?



Thanks :3

I usually handle him for about 15 minutes per day. Today I checked on him and he was perched up in his tree. I didn't bother him because I already know he won't let go of that branch mostly because he recently ate. Wednesday will be the third day after he ate. I can bet he will be roaming around in the evening looking to explore. I will take him out during this time and let him explore. You sort of learn to read these snakes after a few months.

[Walkingdragon]

So I've been wondering, I see people that have snakes have like a little log or branch. I was wondering if they were either plastic/ceramic or real de-barked branches and if they were real how do you sanitize it?

[bcr229]

So I've been wondering, I see people that have snakes have like a little log or branch. I was wondering if they were either plastic/ceramic or real de-barked branches and if they were real how do you sanitize it?

I got some nice wood ones but tossed them because the snakes like to "go" on them. Wood is porous so that mess just doesn't clean up. Now I use plastic or PVC.

[Walkingdragon]

I got some nice wood ones but tossed them because the snakes like to "go" on them. Wood is porous so that mess just doesn't clean up. Now I use plastic or PVC.

Did you buy them from the store or did you de-bark and sanitize them yourself?

[Walkingdragon]

Bump...

[Snake Judy]

Did you buy them from the store or did you de-bark and sanitize them yourself?

If you live near a body of water you can pick up some driftwood. It's often well-cured and without bark already, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven for a bit to sanitize, and maybe sand down any particularly sharp edges. Easy to replace, too, if it gets soiled. I have a couple of nicer pieces that I found that I coated in polyurethane to make cleaning easier. If you go this route just be certain to give the poly a week or so to cure, until there's absolutely no smell.