My bp seems upset or nervous.

[MontyPython]

I just got my juvi. ball python a few days ago. Today was the first time i fed him. He snatched it out of my hand without any problem at all. But hes been balled up in the corner all day and Im not sure if this is just normal behavior after eating, or at anytime. I also didnt have the means to feed him in any other habitat. Will that make him nervous or unable for me to pick him up if i continue to feed him from his tank now? And since its a good idea to feed him in another space, should I get another tank for just feeding?

[starmom]

You don't need to feed him in another space and a lot of people (maybe most?) don't move them to feed them

After eating, balls just hide and digest. Does your have hides to relax in?

[Kaorte]

He is fine, just relaxing and digesting after his meal. :3
Feeding inside his normal enclosure shouldn't be a problem. You will be able to pick him up just fine, as long as you don't rub a bunch of mice all over yourself beforehand. Lol.

[Melicious]

That's pretty normal behavior. If he's balled up, he's usually content. That's the normal state of a ball. I know that most people will tell you that you can feed in the same enclosure, so he should be fine. most of my kids are usually really content eating in their enclosures. IF you want feed out of their enclosure? Bathtub usually works well.

[MontyPython]

He has a big branch to hide his head under. but i was told he didnt need anything to actually hide under completely.

[Melicious]

He has a big branch to hide his head under. but i was told he didnt need anything to actually hide under completely.

He needs a hide that he can curl up under completely so that he has privacy and so he feels safe.

[SecurityStacey]

He has a big branch to hide his head under. but i was told he didnt need anything to actually hide under completely.

Yea... that is usually the information you get from pet stores. I'd take a look at the caresheet on this forum and really take a good look at what the petstore set you up with.

If you give details of your set up (temps, humidity, etc) the people on here can give you some really great advice.

Here is the caresheet link - http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

[instinct27]

He definitely needs a hide... It does not have to be anything extravagant at all. You can just get a box and cut a suitable hole, flower pots, anything that he can get into and out of easily while remaining concealed...

As far as feeding goes, I simply feed in the tank and my bp has never showed any signs of aggression towards my hand.

Give him some time (a few feedings in) before handling though... let him get settled in and with you changing water regularly he will get used to your scent.

[MDB]

I would never feed them out of their enclosure. It would only add stress to them when they are most vulnerable. Feeding them in their enclosure, is like them eating in the comfort of their own home. Just make sure you sanitize before you pick them up. Or they make think that you are food.

[filly77]

as others have said, he needs a hide. You might want to get 2 exactly the same, one for the hot side and one for the cool side.

The reason they should be the same is because if he feels safer in one of them, he will chose to use that one all the time, which wont allow him to thermoregulate.

when you look for a hide, get ones that he will feel very snug in, dont get ones he will grow into as he wont feel safe in a big hide and it will stress him out. And as he grows just replace them.

Hides can be as basic as plastic bowls from the dollar store with a little hole cut into them or you can get ones from a pet store that are more appealing to the human eye. Or even like the poster below suggested, an appropriate sized box would work too. He wont mind what you choose as long as he feels snug and safe in them.

I feed all my balls in their enclosures. I feel that moving snakes for feeding ESPECIALLY if they aren't used to their new homes and used to being handled it causes them undue stress. But thats just my opinion.

You probably know this but I figured I'd say it anyway just in case.. When you bring a new snake home, you may want to consider not holding them for at least a week. I personally wait until they have eaten 3-4 times for me before I start holding them. Holding them before they have a chance to settle in will stress them out a lot and might cause them to stop eating. I along with many others don't like taking that chance

Good luck with your new ball!!