Repeat the Process Frequently. Keeping the cage clean will help keep your... 3. That way, you can keep the head covered while you get a … It was a small white ball with some brown. Make sure you are ready for a long-term commitment before deciding to care for a ball python. Sorry for the delayed response. He’ll be dehydrated after the shipping process. Yes, the Champagne ball python … However, young snakes are not used to being held and need to be accustomed to the experience. I took a video of his feeding/ingesting from start to finish once (I recommend doing this! However, the popularization of morphs has definitely changed the way that society views and values ball pythons. Hold one hand a third of the way down the body and the other hand under the last quarter, so that you are supporting the whole body. Once the snake shows calm, slow tongue flicks, it is safe to pick it up. (An aggressive ball python is most likely to strike when you first reach into the cage. I assume he was stressed so I went to put him back in his cage and he didn’t want to be put down so put him down gently but it was difficult. If your ball python curls into a ball during handling, that means it’s stressed and wants to go back to where it feels safe. Any tips on handling him so he’s not constantly looking like he’s going to strike? Have one hand behind the head of the ball python and the other supporting the rest of its body. Ball pythons reach sexual maturity in 3-5 years and have a 15-30 year lifespan in captivity. MorphMarket currently has 24220 Ball Pythons for sale listed by 1852 Ball Python … Have you tried using tongs and wiggling the rat around a bit to mimic it being alive? Ball pythons, due to their size, are relatively easy to handle. Avoid shed time: Do not handle your snake when it is going into a shed cycle. Once your ball python is a bit more comfortable with its new surroundings, it will be more inclined to take a meal. This essentially involves making three decisions: You must decide what species to feed your pet, you must determine the proper prey size to offer your snake, and you must decide whether you want to feed your pet live or frozen-thawed prey. ReptiFiles is not a veterinary website, nor is the author Mariah Healey a veterinarian. So it should be able to do the same thing in captivity. Well, for one, we offer reptile care information that you can actually trust. Calm ball pythons will generally move around in a slow, deliberate manner while flicking their tongues. During handling, continue to support the snake’s body and use a loose grip to enable it to move freely. You could feed the snake, let it digest for a couple of days, and then handle her — if that works for you. I, personally, prefer to determine it by a rough weight. I know there are people out there who handle their ball pythons on a daily basis. Also do you recommend feeding your ball in a separate area? How To Handle Your Ball Python. Handled him for 10 min or so before feeding, he was exploring and not jumpy or anything. For an adult ball python, they can live comfortably in am enclosure with dimensions of 36 inch by 18 inch by 12 inch. Don’t handle your ball python when it’s shedding, hungry, or after feeding. Ate it about 5 minutes later. Bites usually happen for two reasons: 1) the snake confused you for food, or 2) the snake thought you were a threat. This is helpful! Hi Julie. After bringing home your new ball python, do not handle for the first two weeks or until it is eating regularly. With that being said, regular interaction will make your snake more docile and generally easier to manage. Respect those wishes. A healthy, well-adjusted adult ball python can be handled a couple times a week if necessary. Give it at least one day after feeding before handling. Have questions? Then he begins the ingestion process, which I found to be very interesting to watch. If your (warm) hands smell like rat, animal, or anything else remotely appetizing, your pet may confuse you for food. Does My Corn Snake Need A Heat Lamp on Its Cage? ?” below.). Always remember, however, you need to wait to handle it at least 48-72 hours after it eats to allow for proper digestion and reduce the risk of regurgitation. There’s no rush really. Ball pythons tend to be snappy at first, especially if they’re imported ones. he isnt showing any signs of stress and shows to be very comfortable while handling . While adult ball pythons can get up to 5 feet, they actually don’t need that large of an enclosure. Ball Pythons (aka Royal Pythons) are one of the most popular captive reptiles due to their friendliness, managable size, and wide variety of colors and patterns. If you treat them with respect and handle them regularly, then they can become extremely tame. This removes potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites from your hands, as well as makes your hands smell distinctly inedible. The ball python looks typically black or dark brown in color, with light brown … You could also schedule a phone call to receive one-on-one advice … straight from me to you! When frightened, ball pythons may curl into a ball, retract their heads into an “S-coil,” hiss or flee. Python can also be used to develop different type of game. I take the entire lid off when i do anything else. An appropriate meal for your ball python can be determined in a couple of ways. The Right Home. Brought my baby ball python home Sunday. If it sees you coming and knows what to expect, it will eventually be “okay” with being handled. If you are looking to become a breeder, look into purchasing a rack system. Many experienced hobbyists take on ball python breeding as a study in snake genetics. It offers roughly 100 pages of advice for snake keepers. I just adopted a 5 year old female BP. Clean … Finally, don’t handle your python within 24-28 hours of a meal, as this can stress them out and lead to regurgitation, which is a traumatic experience that can lead to death. Spot clean often. After all, it isn’t a dog or a cat that can whine, purr, or bark to let its feelings be known. Snakes do not require social interaction for their mental health, but regular handling helps the snake stay tame and can be a good opportunity for exercise. They prefer to be left alone during these times. Handling. Ball pythons have lived up to 40 years. Then when I had him in both my hands he would get in the striking pose and stay in it constantly, he didn’t ball up though and he didn’t bite. Prey-Selection for Ball Pythons The first step in feeding your ball python is to select the proper prey item. This means that your snake is “in shed,” and can’t see well, making them more jumpy than usual. It depends on whether your rats are alive or frozen-thawed. I assumed this was a good sign as “happy” snakes eat. The first step in feeding your ball python is to select the proper prey item. Providing a Good Home 1. Reptile health information given on this site is not intended to act as or replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. Enclosure: There are many different ways to keep a Ball python. Give it time to get accustomed to its new habitat and begin to develop a regular feeding schedule. I had the same issue at first with thawed rats. … I will be feeding her for the first time on Friday. Do not let it dangle from your grasp. As long as your ball python continues to feed on its regular schedule, except when it is shedding, you can gradually increase the amount of time that you spend handling your snake. I had 2 ball pythons for 5 years, and never once got tagged by them. I just got a ball Python yesterday and his feeding times are on wednesday of every week. Have you tried using tongs and wiggling the rat around a bit to mimic it being alive? Don’t ever try to pick it up from the head. Today, I’m going to talk to you about how to handle a pet ball python for the first time. No surprises: In my experience, ball pythons that see their owners coming are generally easier to pick up. so it doesn’t fall. She seems pretty docile, but I have always handled juveniles in the past. Ensure the python can stretch out in the cage. If the snake is moving in a direction you don’t want it to go, use your free hand to gently guide its head away. He than explorered around a few times, drank some water and than went into his hide. I took a video of his feeding/ingesting from start to finish once (I recommend doing this! Let him see my hand first before picking him up. I usually weigh my snakes every shed, maybe a time between if they happen to poop (which we’ll talk about later too), and their … Can I use aspen shavings as a ball python substrate / bedding? 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