I've purchased a Ball Python. What should first be done?

[Praireboyfarmer]

I've finally got my hands on a Ball python at the Broken Arrow Reptile expo in Oklahoma.

He is a male and 1 1/2 feet long normal pattern. I chose male because of the slightly smaller size.

I have a few questions.

1: He has a few rough scales on his belly. Is this normal?

2: How long should I leave him alone before handling him?

On his cage at the expo it had normal/Male/40 written on the cage. What would that 40 mean?

He is a bit skittish right now, but is very docile given the situation (Traveling from Arkansas to Oklahoma then having about 20 people hold and tease him) and then a 200 mile ride home.

[RAD House]

Congrats on the new addition. It is cool you took the advise given and got yourself a captive bred animal. I will let someone with more experience answer your questions.

[DDW]

I don't have experience but I have an idea of what's what. Letting your snake settle in really depends on the snake. Some settle in after days, but most take a week or two. Some people even wait an entire month or more. I do not know much about the scales, but are they dicolored? Does it look like an injury? If it's not that noticible, chances are it will right itself after a few sheds, but pics are always helpful in "diagnosis" and along with that, could you post a pic of your setup?

[eminart]

The "40" written on his container was probably just the number the breeder assigned to him to keep up with his feeding records and stuff.

[EL Ziggy]

Congrats on the new addition pbf. I'm not sure about the rough belly scales. A picture might help. I'd suggest no handling until your snake has eaten for you twice with no issues.

[Albert Clark]

Congrats and welcome to the club! The number probably was the clutch number the animal hatched out of. It's best to not handle the snake until it has taken at least 3 meals but not directly after feedings. The rough scales are probably cuffed scales that will shed off eventually.