Ball Pythons

[beak]

I know there's a couple people with snakes on this forum. Just bought a 9 yr old Ball Python for my 13 yr old daughter. The girl that had him was around 15 and seemed to be quite knowledgeable about snakes. He just ate 3 days ago and she said he should eat a rat every 2 weeks. My daughter is handling him quite a bit. He seems to take it ok. Hasn't tried to bite or anything. I bought a book on them and it says not to handle them for about 1 month. However they are talking about freshly imported snakes from the wild. The book also says if they are stressed they won't eat, but he's not due to eat again for about 10 days.

My question is this. Do you think that handling him at this point is dangerous for him. I don't want him to die because my kid handles him too much.

Thanks

 

[txredneckmedic]

if the snake has been handled well then i wouldnt worry too much. Just make sure your daughter washes her hands beforehand

 

[beak]

He hasn't been aggressive at all and just kind of hangs out. I guess the real test will be if he eats in a couple weeks.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Beforehand and afterwards.

I love ball pythons. Wish I had my Dixie back.

 

[truecolorsloft]

ball/royal pythons are great pets, and many of the babies in the pet trade are now CB(captive bred) The general rule about handling is to hold off a day or so. this allows the snake to digest the food a bit. Think about eating a thanksgiving dinner, then going on a roller coaster.

also belly heat from a heating pad helps in digestion, some say more than heat lamps. My water python would always bash on her branch, and avoide the pads, but her cage mate a columbian cross, would avoid the branch and hog the pads. Hope this helps.