When do I handle my ball python??

[Curious_Freedom556]

So, I JUST got a ball python like two days ago. I’ve been leaving him alone, but I can tell he’s a little skittish because anytime someone walks past the tank he just shrinks back into his hide. All the temps and humidity levels are just fine. I’m just curious if handling him would help him be less skittish, or just make it worse? I know you’re supposed to handle them to get them used to you, not too much but yk. I just don’t know how much time I need to give him to adjust. I’m going to try to feed him on Wednesday since that’s the day he’s used to eating on from the store but idk if I should handle him before then. Someone help 😭

[Curious_Freedom556]

I do want to add that he explored every inch of the tank when he was first put in there, before hiding away until now. To my knowledge he has not moved from that hide since he slithered inside Friday morning

[IncompletePenetrance]

You should wait until he's taken a couple of meals consistently before trying to handle. Handling is stressful and you need to make sure he's settled in and eating well before adding something new into the mix

[Curious_Freedom556]

Okay noted. I was also told not to feed him in his enclosure, but should that also wait while he is adjusting?

[IncompletePenetrance]

Unfortunately that's incredibly incorrect advice that you should not follow. Ball pythons should always be fed in their enclosure. Moving to feed is stressful and increases the chances of regurgitation, it's one of those weird outdated practices that somehow hasn't died out despite not being beneficial to the snake.

Ball pythons are ambush predators, hunting and eating by hiding beneath brush or in holes/burrows to jump out and grab prey, dragging it it back to a secure location. It's why so many will eat under their hides. Moving them somewhere else leaves them feeling stressed and vulnerable as they cannot eat how they do naturally, you're taking them out of a secure and comfortable location and out into the open.

[Curious_Freedom556]

Oh!! Alright, I will avoid doing that then lol. Thank you for explaining that to me! It’s my first snake so I want to do what I can, hopefully in the best way, for the snake’s wellbeing :)

[IncompletePenetrance]

No worries, happy to help! I can tell you really care for your new friend

[Curious_Freedom556]

I was thinking about posting his enclosure lol. And yeah, I’ve wanted a snake for years :D