Thanks for the info! Super appreciate it!Originally Posted by redshepherd
Ball pythons as a species are docile and relaxed, but some still are not, so you're still luckycongrats on your snake!
Still I wouldn't handle for an hour or more every day though. Especially when she is in blue. Since ball pythons need that specific environment in their enclosure (the heat, the humidity, the hiding) and are nocturnal animals, over-handling becomes stressful for them. Ball pythons may not show visible signs of stress until it's too late, and they start missing meals.
There was an incident where a young man brought his ball python everywhere with him, even outside and to conventions- sometimes for hours. The ball python was "happy and relaxed" from his owner's point of view, when in reality it was experiencing lots of stress. In the end, the ball python literally passed away from stress in a year or so.
If you must handle daily, 20 minutes or less is usually recommended!My phrasing wasn’t best. When she’s in blue my handling is very minimal. For a minute or less only when necessary. But even when she isn’t about to shed I’ll be sure to be more conscientious of not handling her too much and stressing her out! Also I might sure once the honeymoon phase wears off my desire to handle her so frequently will be easier to deny haha. But you’ve been super helpful!
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