Picking up my ball python for the first time?

Question

I have a 4-5 week old normal ball python i obtained form a breeder. Hes fed twice, bot times on 2 f/t hoppers with absolutely no problems at all. the first time we brought him home we took him out of his little Tupperware container he was in and i handled him for about 5 minutes and he nipped at me. i think it was from all the stress of the 2 hour car drive and the fact that i had just eaten a cheeseburger and forgot to wash my hands. but tomorrow will be the second day after his feeding and about his second week in his new home. i'm a little nervous about picking him up, because i fear that since he is only a baby he might get scared and nip me, but from past experiences with family member's snakes i found that theyll ball up before they even think of attacking.

i would just like some tips on how i should take on picking him up, like what time of day i should (morning? night?) should i get him from above or the side? should i let him sit a while before i pick him up?

Thanks,

-danny

Answer 1

pick him up b/c if you dont while hes young you will never be able to

Answer 2

in the middle of the day. pick up from belly. not by the head. put it on ur shoulders and it will just sty there. pet from head to tail not the other way cuz the scails poke him if u don't

Answer 3

All snakes will nip when young, handling him daily is the best way to get him over this for at least 15 minutes a day. make sure when you pick him up be gentle, pick him up by placing a hand under his belly and gently lifting him up and make sure to support his body. Don't squeeze him let him slither through your fingers but don't let him get away.

The cheese burger had nothing to do with him biting, he may just be scared. Even though they do ball up they can still bite. It is normal for hatchlings to be nippy but they grow out of it when handled often. Just remember to give the snake a day or two after eating to digest some before you pick it up. and move slowly so you don't scare it.

And when they bite it doesn't really hurt much, at least not at that size. So I wouldn't worry about getting bit by it although you will probably feel a little shocked, when you do get bit. And yes I said "when" because when you own snakes you have to expect that it's going to happen sooner or later.

I hope this helps you out some though. Good luck! and congrats on getting a new snake.

Answer 4

i'm sure he's just nervous and stressed from the car ride. pick him up gently and let him explore. my snake used to climb up to my face and smell me. (:

ball pythons are so sweet and if he continues to bite, i would tell the breeder. they might have harmed him before.