New snake owner!

[GregToggs]

I work in a pet store and just bought my first snake. It is a ball python that we had in the store and was always very calm and great to handle. I brought him home and set up his cage. I have a heat pad, hide box, log, and water bowl large enough for him to soak in. Any suggestions as to my next step? I tried to grab him earlier and he hissed so I believe I'm going to wait a few more days to try to handle him. If anyone has any advice I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[sickvenom]

I work in a pet store and just bought my first snake. It is a ball python that we had in the store and was always very calm and great to handle. I brought him home and set up his cage. I have a heat pad, hide box, log, and water bowl large enough for him to soak in. Any suggestions as to my next step? I tried to grab him earlier and he hissed so I believe I'm going to wait a few more days to try to handle him. If anyone has any advice I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

make sure your temperature gradient and humidity levels are correct. let him acclimate to his new home before you try to pick him up. also, do you know his old feeding schedule at the pet store? you will want to replicate that at your place. also, take photos and show us!

[stephanbakir]

allot of younger ball pythons will snap at you and hiss, once you grab them and handle them properly they settle down pretty quickly
Give him at least 4 days before you handle him, preferably 7 and dont bug him during that time other then cleaning.
Feeding him the day you get him is never a really bad idea unless hes stressed, some snakes will eat some snakes wont.
Welcome

[mistersprinkles]

Where are all these BPs that strike and hiss coming from? I'm just curious. I was into them from 95 to 99 and even the W/C male I had didn't have any attitude problems. I never encountered a CB adult or juvie that hissed at me or struck me. I got bitten holding a dead rat by the tail to feed a few times but that's just stupidity on my part. I never heard of any BP being mean during that time either. Is it the increased commonality of the unusual morphs these days? Has the selective breeding accidentally made meaner snakes? I'm wondering..

[sickvenom]

i used to own them in the early 90s and i'd get nailed every now and then. for the most part they were very docile.

[belovedboas]

Welcome to sNAKESs!!!! Quite a few ball python addicts on here, all will be answered if you listen lol :)

[marvelfreak]

I work in a pet store and just bought my first snake. It is a ball python that we had in the store and was always very calm and great to handle. I brought him home and set up his cage. I have a heat pad, hide box, log, and water bowl large enough for him to soak in. Any suggestions as to my next step? I tried to grab him earlier and he hissed so I believe I'm going to wait a few more days to try to handle him. If anyone has any advice I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
Hello and welcome! On the hide box you should have two one for the hot end and one for the cool. Love to see pictures of your snake and set up.:)

[stephanbakir]

Where are all these BPs that strike and hiss coming from? I'm just curious. I was into them from 95 to 99 and even the W/C male I had didn't have any attitude problems. I never encountered a CB adult or juvie that hissed at me or struck me. I got bitten holding a dead rat by the tail to feed a few times but that's just stupidity on my part. I never heard of any BP being mean during that time either. Is it the increased commonality of the unusual morphs these days? Has the selective breeding accidentally made meaner snakes? I'm wondering..


Baby snakes in generally tend to be nippy, after a few weeks they calm down.

[mistersprinkles]

Baby snakes in generally tend to be nippy, after a few weeks they calm down.

:confused:

Just never seen it. I had many snakes I bought literally after their first feed when then were still about birth weight. I think this is a recent phenomenon brought about by selective breeding for pattern and not for mellowness?

[Lankyrob]

All bar one of our snakes were babies when we acquired them, only the jcp has been bitey and we kinda expected that!

[mistersprinkles]

All bar one of our snakes were babies when we acquired them, only the jcp has been bitey and we kinda expected that!

Even my carpet never struck once. I had good luck with snakes.

[mykee]

Welcome to the site.
Nippy baby balls are a dream come true; means they eat really well.
I would much sooner have a nippy ball python that eats than a docile one that needs to be assist fed once a week.

[infernalis]

Welcome to the site.
Nippy baby balls are a dream come true; means they eat really well.
I would much sooner have a nippy ball python that eats than a docile one that needs to be assist fed once a week.


Amen to that brother..

now give me food!!

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/PG1/images/1strike.jpg

[reptile65]

Great photo, Wayne

[chydro]

Welcome, and Hope to see pics of your snake soon