How is the best way to pick up my ball python after feeding?

Question

I have a 1 yr old ball python bred and raised in captivity, how soon after feeding can i handle him. I feed him in a seperate enclosure, and handle him about 15-20 minutes after eating. I pick him up by gently slide my hand under his body somewhere between midsection and tail (To hopefully avoid upsetting his digestion process). This has worked fine since i've had him, however, the last time i fed him, i went to put him back in his cage after about 10-15 minutes and he bit me. I placed him back in his cage and handled him about an hour later, and he was fine. He is not getting ready to shed, so i wonder if i picked him up wrong or too soon. Somebody at work who owns reptiles said that i picked him up wrong. When i slid my hand under his body he mistook the vibrations from my hand sliding under his body for prey. Does that sound right?

Answer 1

I, myself, feed my ball python in a seperate tank as well. They say it's best for confusion purposes. After he eats, I normally let him alone for about 15 minutes, to let his food get down, then transfer him back to his normal enclosure. I don't slide my hand underneath him; I just pick him up like normal with my palm facing his back, one handed. I try to pick him up by the middle of his body, about where the food is by that time, so his weight is evenly distributed.

And I agree with the other posters, that you shouldn't handle them a good 48 hours until after they've eaten. But I believe you meant just for moving purposes.

Happy feeding.

Answer 2

Hello,

          No ball pythons do not enjoy being held after feeding, let him digest his food first this could take a day or so. If you pick him up whilst digesting he is very likely to bite you.

It may also be possible that he is ''in season'' which means he will feel like he is the alpha male and therefore you should leave him alone.

I have an Iguana and it works if you charge at them whilst they are in season if they try to attak you. Not sure if it works for snakes though.

Answer 3

u shouldn't handle any snake till 48 hours after feeded unless totally necessary

so just dont

Answer 4

before feeding mine i put him in a separate tank and let him eat there. i usually leave him in that one for a few hours and then put him back in his normal tank. i dont play with him though until the next day

Answer 5

Use a reptile handling wash or strong mouth wash on your hands, so you don't smell like a food item and just pick him up to put him back in his home and leave him for at least 48 hours or you run the risk of the food item coming back up.

Answer 6

That could be right. Maybe he needs to take a bigger mouse? or 2 mouses? I would try getting him an additional mouce and see if that might work. My lil guy (whos not so little) takes 3 mouses a week. Im scared to feed him a rat... and most the rats at the store i go to are too big... (least i think so) So i just give him 3 lil mouses. he is about 2 feet long.  

Maybe asking the petshop if he can take another mouse. I would ask for sure.

Answer 7

You shouldn't handle a snake after they have fed

1) They can become aggressive - even if they have been raised in captivity

2) You can damage his internal organs by picking him up straight after feeding. Remember they don't chew on their food so the digestion process is slower.

You should leave your snake for a minimum of 24 hours after feeding but to be safe I would leave him for 48 hours.

Answer 8

You should not handle your ball python 24-48 hours after being fed.

I feed my ball pythons is separate enclosures, to transfer them back to their original cages, I pick them up 30 minutes after feeding, as I normally would, careful to support their entire body. Then I simply lay them gently and let them be on their way.

About the biting:  Your BP might've been still in feeding mode, so he confused you and bit. Touching a BP right after eating is not advisable because of that, you might've picked him up too soon. Or, your hand might've held the smell of food.

Don't slide your hand underneath his ody, that's unnecessary. Pick him up with your palm against his upper body, around his middle. If he is big enough that this is awkward, use both hands.

Answer 9

really you should leave him alone for 24 to 48 hours afterwards and as for him biting you he was still in eating mode! hope i have helped!!!!!!