My new Pinstripe!!!

[Madness420]

just got a 10 month old pinstripe ball python in the mail today from Reptiles by Mack. he seemed to be very calm and not nervous at all when i unboxed him. he even tried to squeeze my hand tighter when i lowered him into his new home. then he spent a few hours crawling around before halfway hiding under his log. i did reach in to tidy up yhe mess he made in the bedding and straighten out the thermostat, while doing so he struck at me from under the log, all good tho i was making patting movements to straighten up the bedding so i am sure i looked like food or something. i was wondering tho, i know i am supposed to wait a few days to hold him, but how serious is that rule really? if i hold him tonight what is the worst that could happen? he did not seem stressed or scared of me at all durring the unboxing process... i have 3 corn snakes that are perfectly fine and i think out of the 3 the longest i waited was 36hrs after rehomming...

[EL Ziggy]

Congrats on the beautiful new BP mad. I'm sure the no handling for a few days "rule" isn't quite do or die but I think it's a good guideline to follow. Most snakes don't really enjoy being handled anyway, they tolerate it. We're the one's with the desire to hold them :) This is a pet you'll hopefully enjoy for many years, so there's no need to rush the magic :). It also gives your new friend a chance to acclimate to his new environment. I'm sure he had a long, stressful trip making it to you and right now he sees you as a giant predator that might just eat him. That being said I've handled my new additions for a few minutes when they first arrived but once I put them in their enclosures I don't handle them until they've eaten twice, unless I need to move them for tank cleanings. It's hard for me because I'm not the most patient person and I love my critters. It's like having a gift wrapped present right in front of you and not being able to open it for 2 weeks :). Best wishes.

[franks]

Personally I would definitely wait until he took 2 meals in a row from me. Only because he is a ball python. I have started handling a few of my ball pythons after their first meals based on how easily they ate. You do not know if he is calm or stressed. A good indicator is if and how he eats for you. By "log" are you referring to those half logs open on both sides? They are very common but I do not feel like they offer good security for ball pythons. Something you can barely see into and they can barely fit into will make them feel secure. They like "feeling" their sides touching something. It sounds nit - picking but a secure ball python is a healthy ball python.

[sharthun]

Congrats on the new BP!

[Dan84]

If you will have the snake for 20-30 years, what's the big deal with waiting a week or two to handle it?

[Teal]

Trust me, I understand your desire to hold him right away... He's gorgeous! But I absolutely agree that it is better to wait until he has had a few feedings with you. BPs are so darn finicky, I worry about them beyond the usual acclimation period for other snakes.

[Madness420]

i broke down and held him for a lil bit, but i'll try and leave him alone until i feed him in 4 days. the info said he has been eating live mice, but i feed all mine f/t for temperment and safety reasons. i guess i need to be carefull and do it by the book especially trying to switch him to f/t. thanks for the advice guys. i know i am gonna have him for 20+ years, but it really is like opening a christmas present the not playing with it til new years... its hard.

[Chris72]

Congrats...Looks awesome! :)

[Madness420]

this is how i found him this morning :)

[Madness420]

^idk why it rotated the picture...