Just getting started>>>

CJN2216 · 10-16-02, 12:56 PM

Well I am just getting ready to purchase my first Ball Python. Been doin alot of reading on them and feel I am ready to care for my own.
I use to have 2 Lg. Male Iguanas but I gave them to a buddy as they were getting a bit to big for me. I still visit them though

Now for the Ball...... I am real excited about getting one. Always wanted one! I guess one of the first real questions I have is, how aggressive are they and can get? And has anyone ever been bit? If so what does it feel like, and how do you make it so they don't bite/strike again?
How often do they like to be held and when is the best time not to handle them.....After/Before eating?

Pixie · 10-16-02, 01:15 PM

Hi Chris,

Generally balls aren't aggressive at all. I've had mine for 8-9 months now and she's never bitten me.

Get a captive bred and born ball, let it settle into it's new home for at least 4 days (most say a week but it's so hard!!!). When handling, they tend to not like to be touched on the head, just pick it up from the midpart and move slowly and gently.

After a meal, don't handle for a full 2 days. I recommend to watch and learn your snake, body postures, etc... You'll soon know when it's not happy and doesn't want to be handled. Start with short handling sessions 10-15 minutes and increase the time as you both get comfy with each other.

The more you handle your snake the "tamer" it gets and more comfortable with you.

I've rarely heard of balls biting, they're almost always due to feeding errors.

Good luck,
Pixie

Big Mike · 10-16-02, 01:34 PM

Welcome to SsnakesS.com...It good to hear of people that take the time to do the research before getting a snake especially their first one.

Yes, Balls are very tame in almost all cases. Don't handle for the first little while and not after feeding either.

Feel free to ask lots of questions because there are lots of people here with lots of great advice.

Good Luck

CJN2216 · 10-16-02, 01:40 PM

Thanks. I will post pics as soon as I find a healthy one. There are a few respectable Pet Stores here in Maryland I will be looking into getting one from.

sSNAKESs.com · 10-16-02, 01:55 PM

CJ, congrats on deciding to get a BP

i think you will be fine, bp's make a great starter snake

that was the first snake i got and never had a problem! just dont be afraid to ask questions, no matter how dumb

J.J. · 10-16-02, 02:14 PM

Ball Pythons are really good snakes, and usually they arent agressive, oh yes and I have been bitten, it doesnt really hurt! But good luck and god bless!

Big Mike · 10-16-02, 02:32 PM

Just a tip...if you can find a reputable breeder close by then get a snake there rather than a pet store. Most pet stores (big chains especially) don't know much about snakes or reptiles and charge way, way too much. There are exceptions so check out the stores to be sure.

Shop around before you buy. Make sure you get one that is not WC and is eating.

Quervo · 10-16-02, 07:48 PM

Pixie said most of it .. I would recommend not handling your new ball until it has eaten once for you (and it is REALLY hard to do that). I tried starting mine on pinky mice (as per a pet stores advice) but in retrospect I'm sure that's why I had trouble getting mine to start feeding. Once I got him on fuzzies he never looked back. (i guess he likes a furry meal

)

What!! J.J. you've been bitten !! how careless of you ... ya okay .. I've been bitten too.

Yup .. sfe (that's stupid feeding error for the newbies) well, not actually an error .. I fed him a live mouse (all that was available at the time) and tried feeding him in a seperate enclosure (probably would have worked, but I didn't give him time to get used to it) and while he was lokking around, the mouse started nibbling on him .. not badly, just testing, but if I hadn't been there watching ....
Anywho .. I knew I was at risk, but I reached in and grabbed the mouse .. bingo .. I'm food.
Like J.J. said .. it really doesn't hurt at all.
And listen to Big Mike .. captive bred and eating.
And eat your veggies .. oh sorry, got carried away.

nighter628 · 10-16-02, 11:16 PM

Yeah, my ball is my first snake..shes great, no problems so far!

casacrow · 10-17-02, 07:18 AM

Balls make super pets. I have been bitten a couple times by mine, but it is my own fault as I hardly ever handle my snakes. It really does not hurt much at all.

raebug2000 · 10-17-02, 07:28 AM

i have never been bitten, however Ka has hissed at me when i disturb her beatuy sleep. i have never had feeding problems.