New ball python/ worrying

[For Goodness Snakes]

Okay, I got my baby ball python Monday and done a lot of research on them. so today I tried to get her out of the hide so she can recognize my scent and get use to me. She hasnt eaten and refused to eat I'm gonna try again Saturday or Sunday she seems healthy though. The thing I'm worried about is when I approach her she makes a weird noise every time I do so and starts to breathe heavy is it stress or early stages of respiratory disease? The heat spot is at 85.5 and the cool side is at 80. I hope I'm doing everything right. Thank you!

It's obvious your snake is afraid of you which is very common with baby ball pythons, it's that fear response or instinct that would help keep that snake alive if it were in the wild because in the wild everything is trying to eat them.

I would also hold that snake as much as 15 minutes a day every day. When you reach into the snake's cage, without hesitation reach behind the snake and gently pick it up, while holding the snake I would make sure that the snake's head is pointing away from your body so that the snake is looking away from you rather than at you, don't touch the snake's head and let the snake gently crawl through your fingers literally for 15 minutes a day. Your temps are OK, but I'd like to see that 85.5 become closer to 90. I would get a hide box not just a cover like they sell at PetSmart or Petco, but one where you snake can call it's home I have included a photo of the hides that I use, I think you can get one from Big Apple, Bean Farm or LLL Reptiles. A snake that is fearing for it's life typically won't feel like eating. When you feed the snake I would feed it inside the hide box. For my more finicky snakes I will actually lock them inside their hide box with the food item for no less than 15 minutes. If the snake does not eat the food item I would try again in two days.



Not only am I a snake farmer / snake breeder, but I'm also a Falconer, there is a term in Falconry called Manning, this term refers to a technique that Falconers use to tame down wild caught birds of pretty. When a Falconer catches a wild bird of prey he will take the bird home and set up the bird with jess straps and a leash, the Falconer will then spend no less than 18 hours nonstop with the bird in a somewhat dark room such as a bath room or closet. During that time the Falconer will gently touch the bird all over it's body and talk to it in a very soothing voice. The hope is by spending a huge amount of time gently working with that bird it will soon learn to trust you or at least learn not to be afraid of you. It's amazing just how fast the birds will calm down during that time that they are smothered with attention. It's then and only then that the bird will begin to take food from your hand. If you leave your snake alone like most people will tell you to do you will be doing nothing to gain that snake's trust and it will continue to be afraid of you. I always recommend that you feed the snake in its cage / hide box the day after you receive it. There is nothing more anti productive than having a scared hungry snake.

I have over 500 videos on YouTube many of those videos are focused on educating / helping people like you get on the fast track of how to care for these animals. Just put my name Brian Gundy into the YouTube search box and all of my videos will appear.

Feel free to call me at 408-981-6694 or email me at fgsnakes@sbcglobal.net if you would like more information.

I hope this helps, good luck with your new ball python and welcome to the family.

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes