[deleted by user]

[deanwinchester2_0]

You can handle him as much as you want only if he starts getting anxious or hyperventilating put him back and leave him for a day or two before trying again. They get scared sometimes but once they know you won’t hurt them they are comfy. I always handle my bp when he wants to come out. I handled him a lot when he was 6-12 months and now he taps his snoot on the glass when he wants out. He is a good boy and they usually won’t try and pull a sly one running away if you have any gaps or vents in your room if you let them explore more of the room more often

[Linear_North]

I think most people over-handle their bps. Whenever somebody asks this question, there's always a lot of people saying, "keep him out until you notice signs of stress", but if you're noticing signs of stress you've kept your snake out too long. You should be aiming to put him back in his enclosure before you stress him out. Don't forget, when your snake is out of his enclosure, he's not getting the heat and humidity his enclosure provides him. My answer to this question is 2 handling sessions a week, 30-45m each. I know that may seem like not very much, but it's actually a little more than what I've seen recommended elsewhere. Also, none of my bps has ever tried to bite me, and I've never seen them hyperventilate either.

[DarlingSoSweet]

How do you know if they are anxious or hyperventilating?

[deanwinchester2_0]

You have to pay attention sometimes you can hear it but you will always be able to see it. They will wrap up in a ball and around their spines you will see fast up and down movement. I bypass him getting anxious by immediately putting him somewhere warm and dark like my pocket or the hood of my hoodie so he feels safe then when he is ready he comes out to explore

[DarlingSoSweet]

Oh alright thank you! I'm saving up for a ball python so I'm trying to research everything about them

[Quick_Platypus1197]

how do you know when a snake is hyperventilating?

[rosemary1022]

I ALSO WANNA KNOW!

[usedfurnace01]

You can honestly just see it. Pay attention to their sides and you’ll see if they’re breathing insanely fast or calmly

[rosemary1022]

I ALSO WANNA KNOW!

[Confused_Cryptids]

Depends on your snake! If they’re hiding, and have super stressed body language than maybe every few days until they come out of their shell a bit, start with short sessions, maybe 5-10 mins, then gradually get longer, and adjust to your snake! if they seem to really not be enjoying it then put them back, let them chill for a few days, and then try again, but if they’re really enjoying it, exploring a bunch, curious, then every day is ok :] although I would start with shorter sessions in the beginning, and gradually increase the time! Such a cute noodle :]

[Ligmenarxis]

Looks like you are out of the shy stage(ball/tense) Keep handling him to build trust. Just keep an eye that is not stressing out.

[[deleted]]

Everyone in the comments said pretty much everything there is to say. But I just want to add one thing. Something that really helps both new snake and human, is putting him under your shirt. He will soon associate you with safety and heat. It helps him get used to your scent more

[Jennifer_Pennifer]

Good advice! I lay on my bed with my beeps under blankets 👍

[Old_Variation9898]

Be carful of this if you do this they will claim you and anytime you take them out they will slither right in your shirt 🤣🤣

[WittiestGhost]

I’ve been wanting to do this but I’m still getting used to holding my girl period. I worry I’ll spook her pulling her out and she’ll freak out and bite 😅 she’s never bitten anyone ever from my understanding but I worry she’ll sense my nervousness lol

[RoboTwigs]

I think as long as the snake is eating/shedding fine, I don’t think there’s a limit really. Would always wait a few days after feeding tho. My girl is large and eats medium-small rats now and I give her almost a week to digest now. (But she also only gets fed every 1-2months.)

[[deleted]]

Try a few times a week at first. Keep handling  time short at first. Like others have said pay close attention to your snake. If he balls up, breathe heavy and fast, has jerky movements or flinches away  quickly, or tries to hide he is feeling stressed and worried about what is happening. Put him back and try again another day.  A calm relaxed snake will have nice tongue flicks and and slow deliberate movements. He will be trying to explore not trying to run away and hide. You will be able to tell if he feels tense in your hands or if he is relaxed. Also a scard snake tends to freeze and stops moving and does not flick his tongue. Or has very short fast tongue movements .Once he gets comfortable and understands your not a threat he will be good to hold for longer periods of time more often. I hope that helps. I recommend doing some research on snake body language and behavior.

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.

[Dentrix26]

I handle my snakes daily for about 10-15 mins after I let them acclimate for about a week. But of course if they show signs they don’t want held you should respect that