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Q: When to start handling?
Posted By:

msmeghan

In Relation To:

Zoe [bp01]

I'm just wondering when you guys think it would be safe to start handling my new Ball? I brought her home the night of the 28th, and she's been acting (what I think) normal ever since.

I'm in no rush to start handling her, as I don't want to stress her out any more than the move already has - I'm just curious about your opinion :)


Points: 50
Topics: General Health
Tags: Ballpython, Handling
Species: Pythons > Pythons > Python regius
Administrative: Show/Hide

Member Comment 12/30/2010 3:00:48 PM

gfx

With any snake, I like to get a mean in them and then wait several days to handle. If she's already eaten an digested for you, go for it.

 
Author Comment 12/30/2010 3:04:52 PM

msmeghan

That's what I'm thinking ... The only thing is, is that she's always been fed live since she was a baby (stunned animals, of course) and I'm going to switch her to frozen. Do you think that would disturb her right off the bat?

 
Author Comment 12/30/2010 3:05:33 PM

msmeghan

f/t, that is.

 
Member Comment 12/30/2010 3:13:14 PM

gfx

May as well start with f/t and see what she does with it. If you have to do stunned, do that for a few feeds, then do f/k, then let f/k sit for awhile so it cools. Hopefully she'll take very warm f/t for you right away, but she is a ball python so keep those fingers crossed! :)

 
Author Comment 12/30/2010 3:17:05 PM

msmeghan

That's what I'm hoping for, haha. Fingers crossed she won't be overly picky!

 
Accepted Answer 12/31/2010 1:48:47 AM

shellboa

I generally keep my handling of babies to a minimum, like 10-20 minutes at a time once a day maybe three times a week. But I do alot of "exploring" where I take the snake out and lay on the bed and all I do is keep it from falling off or hiding under the pillows/blankets. If it seems ok like it isn't racing off every time I touch it then I will go as long as an half hour, if it freaks out I usually only try that once more and then just don't do it with that snake. I also do not handle babies for at least 48 hours after they have eaten. 

Getting it to accept f/t is a matter of patience. If your snake is shy of it try leaving it close and coming back later, if not then you can try the "dead mouse dance" and elicit a strike. Some are real picky and it takes forever and some will take it every time like a champ.

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