Quote Originally Posted by Ktzero3
After doing mucho reading about BPs, I'm still a little confused about something...

Say that I were to get a ball python shipped to me. What do I do? They're not supposed to be handled for a week so how does feeding happen? (I decided that I don't want to feed it in its enclosure after all my reading) Or is it just okay for me to pick him up and drop him in his feeding box with minimal handling? And then just wait 2 hours and take him back in his enclosure?

Also, should I handle him a day before the day I feed him, so he doesn't forever associate me picking him up with food?

Thanks in advance.
The breeder may well skip a feeding the week the snake is being shipped (so it's not shipped during digestion) and then you leave it a week so it may actually miss 2 feedings depending on what days you and the breeder feed on. That's really no issue for a healthy snake. If you over-handle a new snake that's a bit stressed by the shipping and the new enclosure it may just refuse to eat anyways.

Personally we feed all our snakes in their own enclosures but do what works best for you. As long as your hands are in his enclosure for regular cleaning and handling (once he's eating well for you for a few weeks), most snakes won't immediately assume you are food. Never smell like a rodent of course LOL. Does this mean you will never get tagged....of course not...snakes nip, take a jab at you or hiss occasionally for whatever snake reason or mostly due to something stupid we humans have done. Some snakes are just more reactive then others. Just part of being around snakes as far as I'm concerned.

Find habits and routines that work for you and your snake, stick to them. You and your snake will be happier that way.