Ball python handling

[EthanMG]

I know handling questions get asked a lot, but I just have one quick one. I got my ball python multiple weeks ago and he’s been acting completely normal. He’s been hiding all day and coming out at night (if he hadn’t eaten recently). He’s taken two meals so far with no issues. His last meal was 4 days ago. One weird thing though l, is he has not pooped yet. I’m not sure if that’s normal or not, so I guess that’s another question of mine. Anyway, I’ve already handled him twice. One time was about 10 days ago and I handled him once yesterday. Now that he’s ate consistently and is acting normal (other than the possible poop problem) is it fine to handle him once a day now to work with him to get him more comfortable with me? It would only be for 20 minutes a day, not before or after feeding or while shedding. Is once a day too often? Is this too soon to be handling him regularly like once a day?


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[Charles8088]

It's not good to handle right away when you first get your snake, so as to wait till he gets settled in and comfortable, and feeling nice and secure. And best not to handle right after feeding... usually about 48 hours, though not a hard rule. Other than that, handle all you want. I mean, you probably don't want to take him out for 20 hours a day... but, if you want to handle daily, nothing wrong with that. You can usually get a feel for your snake's comfort zone. If you're stressing him out from too much handling he might not eat (as an example).

Regarding poop... he'll poop when he's ready. They can go for awhile before pooping. I mean, if you see a bulging by his butt, maybe there can be compaction or poop backup. But, again, it's not NOT normal for a bp to not poop often.

[EthanMG]

It's not good to handle right away when you first get your snake, so as to wait till he gets settled in and comfortable, and feeling nice and secure. And best not to handle right after feeding... usually about 48 hours, though not a hard rule. Other than that, handle all you want. I mean, you probably don't want to take him out for 20 hours a day... but, if you want to handle daily, nothing wrong with that. You can usually get a feel for your snake's comfort zone. If you're stressing him out from too much handling he might not eat (as an example).

Regarding poop... he'll poop when he's ready. They can go for awhile before pooping. I mean, if you see a bulging by his butt, maybe there can be compaction or poop backup. But, again, it's not NOT normal for a bp to not poop often.

Alright thank you sounds good. appreciate your feedback. To me he seems settled in already. Eating fine and acting like a normal BP


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[Bogertophis]

I know handling questions get asked a lot, but I just have one quick one. I got my ball python multiple weeks ago and he’s been acting completely normal. He’s been hiding all day and coming out at night (if he hadn’t eaten recently). He’s taken two meals so far with no issues. His last meal was 4 days ago. One weird thing though l, is he has not pooped yet. I’m not sure if that’s normal or not, so I guess that’s another question of mine. Anyway, I’ve already handled him twice. One time was about 10 days ago and I handled him once yesterday. Now that he’s ate consistently and is acting normal (other than the possible poop problem) is it fine to handle him once a day now to work with him to get him more comfortable with me? It would only be for 20 minutes a day, not before or after feeding or while shedding. Is once a day too often? Is this too soon to be handling him regularly like once a day?


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It's too early to say he's eating regularly after only 2 meals. Your handling is "pushing your luck" IMO, & might result in him going off eating. Daily handling is not what I'd recommend.

There is also plenty of disagreement about how long to handle a snake- but just keep in mind that the most stressful part of that is being approached & picked up by a giant strange creature (that would be you, lol), so 20 minutes is hardly enough time to feel safe with you- I'd be surprised if his breathing rate even slowed down much in 20 minutes.

Much also depends on how good you are at handling snakes- are you calm, & sitting down? & holding them near you so they feel "sheltered", or holding them at arm's length, essentially "out in the open" where they instinctively feel at risk from predators? Try to be sensitive to how your snake is responding to all this- it's hard with BPs, because most are fairly stoic, but that still doesn't mean they're comfortable with you yet.

[EthanMG]

It's too early to say he's eating regularly after only 2 meals. Your handling is "pushing your luck" IMO, & might result in him going off eating. Daily handling is not what I'd recommend.

There is also plenty of disagreement about how long to handle a snake- but just keep in mind that the most stressful part of that is being approached & picked up by a giant strange creature (that would be you, lol), so 20 minutes is hardly enough time to feel safe with you- I'd be surprised if his breathing rate even slowed down much in 20 minutes.

Much also depends on how good you are at handling snakes- are you calm, & sitting down? & holding them near you so they feel "sheltered", or holding them at arm's length, essentially "out in the open" where they instinctively feel at risk from predators? Try to be sensitive to how your snake is responding to all this- it's hard with BPs, because most are fairly stoic, but that still doesn't mean they're comfortable with you yet.

Ok thanks, should I handle every other day then and if he stops eating regularly then stop the handling, or is every other day still too much? As for the length of the handling, are you saying I should handle for longer periods of time? Also, I am very comfortable with my ball python and try to make him feel as comfortable as he can be. I stay away from his head, let him move where he wants to, and support the middle of his body. I’m not afraid of him at all, I’m not afraid of getting bitten, but definitely want to avoid it (of course). It’s crazy how everyone’s opinions are so different. It makes it hard to know what’s right to do. I know the safest option is to not handle, but I’d like to handle him as much as possible where he’s still comfortable.


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[Bogertophis]

Ok thanks, should I handle every other day then and if he stops eating regularly then stop the handling, or is every other day still too much? As for the length of the handling, are you saying I should handle for longer periods of time? Also, I am very comfortable with my ball python and try to make him feel as comfortable as he can be. I stay away from his head, let him move where he wants to, and support the middle of his body. I’m not afraid of him at all, I’m not afraid of getting bitten, but definitely want to avoid it (of course). It’s crazy how everyone’s opinions are so different. It makes it hard to know what’s right to do. I know the safest option is to not handle, but I’d like to handle him as much as possible where he’s still comfortable.


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Perhaps the most common "mistake" people make with "pet" snakes is over-handling, and since eating "is job#1" for their health & growth, you want to make sure you don't interfere with that.

Understand that stress is something that lowers the body's immune system functioning. This is true whether human or animal- even true for snakes. When you get a new snake, it's very stressed being in a new place- and even more so if it was shipped to you. Remember that no matter how docile some snakes (like BPs) are, & no matter that they're captive-bred, they're still "wild" animals that rely on their instincts to survive. The ONLY thing that picks up a snake in the wild is a predator that's about to eat them. They do not understand that you're their new buddy, that you only want what's best for them- it takes time for them to feel safe with us & most gradually do seem to catch on. But just because they're not biting you doesn't mean they're okay with it yet- for most snakes, handling causes fear, & fear is an appetite-killer.

Nearly everyone that gets a new snake wants to handle them- all I'm saying is that it's best to put their needs first. It's safe to assume this snake was not handled previously, but even if they were, they're still stressed being in a new place- none of which they understand. ("Where did the place I felt safe before disappear to, & how do I get back there?" is what they might well be thinking.)

So for best results, don't rush handling into the mix- add it gradually as long as they still eat. I would not jump to every OTHER day either- once or twice a week at most as long as they're eating.
Gradually increase that only if all goes well & he keeps on feeding.

I know it's difficult to sort out- we don't all see it the same way- but it's NO fun trying to get a snake eating again when you've gone too far & they stop. More importantly, it puts their health at risk- remember the stress issue? They can be carrying any number of pathogens ("germs") from previous or current exposure, & if their immune system is suppressed from stress, they're more likely to get sick, or an infection of some kind. This is the hardest concept to get across to you & others, because it's nothing you can see or measure definitively- but please take my word for it. I want you to enjoy your new pet, but I also don't want you to end up at the vets office with them.

It's all about "risk reduction". When our snakes eat, their bodies get the nutrition they need to function optimally- that supports their immune system too, as does adequate rest. If they go off eating for a while, they not only lose weight, but also their ability to remain healthy- that's when any little pathogens that may be lurking can get the upper hand & cause trouble. Does this make more sense now? You sound like a caring owner, btw- my advice would be handling for a little longer at a time (if he seems comfortable with it, obviously), but only once or twice a week at most, while you make sure he keeps eating. It's up to you though, he's your responsibility now- I can only "recommend".

[EthanMG]

Perhaps the most common "mistake" people make with "pet" snakes is over-handling, and since eating "is job#1" for their health & growth, you want to make sure you don't interfere with that.

Understand that stress is something that lowers the body's immune system functioning. This is true whether human or animal- even true for snakes. When you get a new snake, it's very stressed being in a new place- and even more so if it was shipped to you. Remember that no matter how docile some snakes (like BPs) are, & no matter that they're captive-bred, they're still "wild" animals that rely on their instincts to survive. The ONLY thing that picks up a snake in the wild is a predator that's about to eat them. They do not understand that you're their new buddy, that you only want what's best for them- it takes time for them to feel safe with us & most gradually do seem to catch on. But just because they're not biting you doesn't mean they're okay with it yet- for most snakes, handling causes fear, & fear is an appetite-killer.

Nearly everyone that gets a new snake wants to handle them- all I'm saying is that it's best to put their needs first. It's safe to assume this snake was not handled previously, but even if they were, they're still stressed being in a new place- none of which they understand. ("Where did the place I felt safe before disappear to, & how do I get back there?" is what they might well be thinking.)

So for best results, don't rush handling into the mix- add it gradually as long as they still eat. I would not jump to every OTHER day either- once or twice a week at most as long as they're eating.
Gradually increase that only if all goes well & he keeps on feeding.

I know it's difficult to sort out- we don't all see it the same way- but it's NO fun trying to get a snake eating again when you've gone too far & they stop. More importantly, it puts their health at risk- remember the stress issue? They can be carrying any number of pathogens ("germs") from previous or current exposure, & if their immune system is suppressed from stress, they're more likely to get sick, or an infection of some kind. This is the hardest concept to get across to you & others, because it's nothing you can see or measure definitively- but please take my word for it. I want you to enjoy your new pet, but I also don't want you to end up at the vets office with them.

It's all about "risk reduction". When our snakes eat, their bodies get the nutrition they need to function optimally- that supports their immune system too, as does adequate rest. If they go off eating for a while, they not only lose weight, but also their ability to remain healthy- that's when any little pathogens that may be lurking can get the upper hand & cause trouble. Does this make more sense now? You sound like a caring owner, btw- my advice would be handling for a little longer at a time (if he seems comfortable with it, obviously), but only once or twice a week at most, while you make sure he keeps eating. It's up to you though, he's your responsibility now- I can only "recommend".

AMAZING RESPONSE! Thanks for that! I will limit the handling for now probably for a few more successful feedings then gradually increase like you said. Longer intervals but less frequently makes sense. I’m happy there are people out there who care to help less experienced people


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[Bogertophis]

I've kept many snakes for many years, & most were very healthy & long-lived (& still are). I just tried to share how I look at it, & what works for me.

And I know for sure that it's always easier to keep a snake healthy than to try to bring them back from illness or injury, because medical care & medications can be very hard on their bodies.

[EL-Ziggy]

I agree with getting a couple more feedings in with your snake before starting more consistent handling. I handle my snakes once or twice a week for about 15 minutes at a time and they’re all pretty mellow with one exception.

[EthanMG]

I agree with getting a couple more feedings in with your snake before starting more consistent handling. I handle my snakes once or twice a week for about 15 minutes at a time and they’re all pretty mellow with one exception.

Ok thanks. That’s what I’ll do. I’ve heard of so many though that take them out once a day for hours at end. (Not saying I would do this) and even go about their day doing chores and driving around with their snake. Is that bad for the snake?


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