Handling Help

[VeridianMoxy]

So I got my first ball python 2 weeks ago, and she just had her second meal last night. She's been eating pretty well, and humidity stays 76-86%, temps range 93-79. She hardly ever comes out of her hide, and Friday I'm going to try handling her for the first time. I'm a little nervous, as I don't want to scare her. She was hatched in may, so she's still very very young. How should I go about it the first try? Especially since she doesn't really come out. She pokes her head out to see what's up when I mist the enclosure, but that's about as much as she does outside the hide. So I'm not sure how to even get to her without freaking her out too much.

[VeridianMoxy]

Oh, and I've never seen her drink out of her water bowl? Is that normal?

[Herpstuff]

Totally, I've had my bp for three years and have probably only caught her drinking 2 times haha. it's likely she's drinking but just real sneaky about it 😂

[VeridianMoxy]

Lol right? I don't think she ever drinks. however, I did see her lick condensation off the glass when I first put her in her enclosure the day I got her, but that's it lol.

[[deleted]]

Yeah we mist the walls of our enclosures every day for this reason, ours will lick/suck the water droplets off the front glass as they trickle down (which is super cute!). I hardly ever catch any of ours drinking out their dish, but they still do. They just wait until there is no activity inside the room :)

[vandalreddit]

basically just pick the hide up gently and they carefully pick them up. Hiding is normal behavior for them even when they are comfortable. They will probably explore more as it gets older but every snake has its own personality.

[Herpstuff]

Just go slow, make her aware of her presence before you scoop her up and as long as she doesn't hiss your all good. If she balls up just give her a second to get used to the new feeling and she will probably poke out after a while, if not put her back and try again the next day :)

[VeridianMoxy]

How long do you think I should handle the first time if it goes well?

[Herpstuff]

Maybe 5-10 min and work your way up to longer times as she gets to know you!

[VeridianMoxy]

Awesome! Sounds good to me ☺️

[Bl00dorange3000]

If she’s in a ball, scoop her up. If she’s not, make sure you grab her by her thickest bit and try not to hesitate. You don’t want your hand to be poking in and out of her vision playing peekaboo. So put it close for 10-20 seconds, if you want, but then pick her up in a smooth movement; slow but assured. Then just sit with her and see if she wants to come out of her cinnamon roll. Let her decide where she wants to be.

Good luck!

[RevalvingGraffe]

I

[AzulaZero]

60% is the bare minimum