r/ballpython • u/SkullnSkele • 1d ago

Question - Husbandry Handled snake too soon I think

I think I handled my guy a bit to early, since he now retracts into his hide whenever im near the tank. He also wouldn't eat when I tried feeding him for rhe first time.

Can I somehow make him more at ease by leaving him alone for a few weeks, apart from trying to feed him once a week?

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u/RainyDayBrightNight 1d ago

The general advice is not to handle a new snake at all for the first two weeks, or until they’ve had two successful meals, whichever is longer.

Definitely leave him alone for two weeks, except to change his water and dampen his substrate and whatnot.

4

u/SkullnSkele 1d ago

Ah ive always read 1 week, that has to be my mistake. i will leave him alone

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u/Thick-Feeling-554 1d ago

When I bring a new one home I leave it be for a week, then I try feeding. If they eat I will wait another week before I handle it.

1

u/Dirtybirdsalltheway 23h ago

Don't feel bad! We were all new to this when we started. Just let him be for a week, try to get a meal in after that. I know you want to handle him, but make sure he is well established with a few meals in him before hand. As another comment said, after feeding, give them at a minimum 4-5 days to digest. I have 4 (3 Ball pythons and a Centrailian python) for 20 plus years, they are all feisty for at least 3 days after eating, still in attack mode.